The Biggest Xbox Games To Play In 2021 And Beyond

2020 is (finally) coming to an end, which means we've got a whole new year's worth of games to look forward to. Though both the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 are now out, the past console generation hasn't been abandoned just yet. So as we look ahead to games coming to Xbox in 2021 and beyond, we need to consider both the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X|S.

It's worth noting that some of these games are third-party titles that are scheduled to release for PlayStation and/or Nintendo consoles as well. If you're looking for something a bit more next-gen console-specific, we've also compiled a list of all the games currently scheduled to only release for Xbox Series X/S in 2021 and beyond.

Read more: The Best Series X Games to Play Right Now

If you'd like to see what the biggest Xbox Series X|S exclusives of 2021 are, or even what the biggest games are on other platforms, be sure to check out the features in the list below. Otherwise, read on to see the biggest Xbox games to play in 2021 and beyond.

• Biggest Xbox Series X|S Exclusives To Play In 2021
• Biggest PlayStation Games to Play in 2021
• Biggest PlayStation 5 Exclusives To Play In 2021
• Biggest PC Games to Play in 2021
• Biggest Switch Games to Play in 2021
• 20 Biggest Games to Play in 2021
• Our Best Xbox One Games of All Time

Avowed

Set in the world of Eora from the Pillars Of Eternity series, Avowed is an upcoming RPG from developer Obsidian Entertainment. We know pretty much nothing else about the game--Obsidian has only revealed that it will be an "epic, first-person RPG" and that it will release for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Given the current lack of details, we imagine that Avowed is probably scheduled more so for "beyond" than 2021, but we'll see.

Back 4 Blood

Back 4 Blood is a spiritual successor to the cult-favorite Left 4 Dead series. Developed by Turtle Rock Studios--the developer responsible for creating Left 4 Dead--this new game will feature the classic cooperative zombie shooting that fans had come to love about Valve's long-dormant series. Aside from the return of the series' familiar formula, a major innovation introduced in Back 4 Blood is the addition of a card mechanic. When players start a level, they must build up a deck of cards that modify their character's traits as they progress and mow down undead hordes. Back 4 Blood is scheduled to arrive for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC on June 22.

Bright Memory: Infinite

Bright Memory: Infinite is a soft remake of 2019's Bright Memory, a sci-fi first-person shooter with a heavy emphasis on fast-paced combat that makes use of guns, swords, and supernatural powers in a combo-focused gameplay loop. Infinite is set to expand upon the original title's mechanics and campaign, releasing for both Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2021.

Dying Light 2

Dying Light 2 is a first-person zombie survival game where you fight the living undead with melee weapons and hardcore parkour skills. The game features RPG-inspired adaptive storytelling and co-op multiplayer. Last we heard, developer Techland delayed Dying Light 2 indefinitely so we don't know when it's coming out, but it's scheduled to release for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, and PC.

Elden Ring

Ooooooh Elden Ring, why does developer From Software refuse to talk about you? At this point, we've heard more about Elden Ring from Xbox head Phil Spencer (we're only exaggerating... kinda). Elden Ring's story is being co-created by fantasy author George R.R. Martin, and the game features an open world--a significant change in structure from From Software's more recent action games, which use interconnected but largely linear designed environments. Elden Ring is currently scheduled to release for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.

Far Cry 6

In Far Cry 6, you play as Dani Rojas, a native of a fictional country in the midst of revolution against the regime of Presidente Anton Castillo--who's portrayed by actor Giancarlo Esposito. The sixth mainline entry in the Far Cry series will see the return of a voiced protagonist, something missing from 2018's Far Cry 5. Far Cry 6 will release for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, PC, Amazon Luna, and Google Stadia in 2021, with a leak suggesting May 25 specifically.

Everwild

In developer Rare's next game, Everwild, you're given "a magical and untamed natural world for you to explore and to just truly lose yourself in." In trailers, we've seen that Everwild has a lush visual style and intriguing character designs, but we still know very little about what you actually do in the game. As of this writing, Everwild is still scheduled to release for Xbox Series X|S in 2020...but since 2020 is almost over, we imagine the game has been delayed to 2021 and Rare just hasn't announced it yet.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

The sequel to Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II continues the titular protagonist's journey, this time taking place in Iceland. However, other than that it will release for Xbox Series X|S and PC, we haven't heard anything else about the game.

Fable

It's wild to think that we're getting another Fable game--from developer Playground Games no less, aka the studio behind the Forza Horizon series. This fourth Fable game, currently only referred to as "Fable," is a soft reboot for the franchise, similar to Arkane Studios' Prey. It's scheduled to release for Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Gotham Knights

Honestly, Gotham Knights is probably the closest we're ever getting to a Red Hood video game. And if you want, you can play as a few of Batman's other partners too in this co-op, loot-based, open world superhero game. Despite seemingly taking place after Batman: Arkham Knight, Gotham Knights is a brand-new universe with a storyline featuring the Court of Owls--Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is the actual sequel to the Arkham series. Weird right? Gotham Knights is scheduled to launch for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, and PC in 2021.

Halo Infinite

Microsoft's flagship franchise returns with its sixth mainline entry in Halo Infinite, which once again puts you into the boots of Master Chief. This time around, Chief is going up against the Banished, the baddies of Halo Wars 2. Originally slated to release in November 2020 before being delayed, Halo Infinite will now launch for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2021.

Hitman 3

Hitman 3 will build on the formula of its predecessors, presenting more self-contained areas with perfectly run systems for you to exploit in your quest to be the best assassin. The fan-favorite elusive targets will also return, though competitive multiplayer is being cut. Hitman 3 will launch for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Google Stadia on January 20.

Little Nightmares II

In Little Nightmares II, you'll once again journey through a perilous, nightmarish world, but this time you won't have to do it alone--you're joined by Six, the protagonist of the first game. This nerve-wracking sequel is full of jump scares, tense chase sequences, and terrifying enemies. Little Nightmares II will launch for Xbox One, PS4, and PC on February 11, with Xbox Series X|S and PS5 versions scheduled for release later in 2021.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga isn't a simple collection of the previous Lego Star Wars games. It's an entirely new game that allows you to travel throughout the galaxy during the time periods of the three movie trilogies, participating in space battles and other open world side quests with nearly 500 playable characters. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is scheduled to launch for Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Switch in 2021.

New Mass Effect

That's right; a new Mass Effect is coming. Announced at The Game Awards 2020, the upcoming entry in the fan-favorite series still seems to be early in development, with Bioware at the helm. With only a teaser to go by, very little is known about the game. Many speculate that it may more directly tie into the original trilogy than continue from where Mass Effect: Andromeda left off. No release date has been confirmed, but if it's anything like the Dragon Age game in development, then it's likely still a while out.

Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139…

Yeah, I'm surprised this is an actual game title too--I for sure thought that Tamoor and Matt were pulling my leg when they handed me this list. But, Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139… is a real title of a real game--it's a remake of the original Nier Replicant, an action-based RPG, with updated graphics and animations that more closely resemble the more recent Nier Automata. Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139… will release for Xbox One, PS4, and PC on April 23.

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time is a remake of the 2003 game of the same name, presenting the original action game with both visual and gameplay enhancements, most noticeably in regards to camera movement and combat mechanics. Prince of Persia: Sands of Time will launch for Xbox One, PS4, and PC on January 21.

Psychonauts 2

Psychonauts 2, developer Double Fine's sequel to its much-beloved platformer, presents more human psyches for protagonist Raz to puzzle and jump their way through. The game was originally planned for 2019 before being delayed to 2020 and then delayed again to 2021. Barring any more delays, Psychonauts 2 will release for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, and PC sometime in 2021.

Resident Evil Village

The Resident Evil franchise is taking a break from remakes after 2019's Resident Evil 2 and 2020's Resident Evil 3 in order to push the story forward with the next mainline game in the franchise: Resident Evil Village. No concrete release date for Village yet, though leaks suggest it will launch for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC in April 2021.

Ruined King: A League of Legends Story

As a means to both expand upon the lore of Runeterra and welcome in new faces to League of Legends, Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is a single-player RPG with turn-based combat. The game will launch for Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Switch sometime in 2021, with Xbox Series X|S and PS5 versions releasing sometime later in the year.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

In S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, you play as a bounty hunter who's specially trained to survive in radiated zones, where you'll have to fight off horrific monsters and dangerous factions seeking the same prizes as you. The story will be told in a non-linear manner, taking place in one of the biggest in-game worlds ever made. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 will release for Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2021.

Scarlet Nexus

Scarlet Nexus is an upcoming action-RPG from a team at Bandai Namco Studios led by developers who have worked on the Tales of series. It puts you in the role of Yuito Sumeragi, a psycho-kinetic trainee hoping to become an elite warrior. Inspired by one such elite who saved him as a child, he gets caught up in a mystery in the futuristic city of New Himuka. The gameplay looks heavily inspired by the likes of Devil May Cry or numerous Platinum Games titles, with fast and frantic action. Your psycho-kinetic powers allow you to lift enemies, fling them around combat arenas, and more. Scarlet Nexus is scheduled to release for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC sometime in 2021.

Scorn

Developer Ebb Software's Scorn is a horror-adventure game with a narrative focus that heavily leans into body-horror and grotesque imagery. Definitely not one for the squeamish, that's for sure. Scorn will launch for Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2021, but in the meantime, check out some extended gameplay showing off the horrifying environments and monsters within.

Starfield

Aside from a major game engine change, we know next to nothing about Starfield. It's scheduled to release for Xbox Series X|S and PC (and maybe PS5, though Microsoft doesn't feel like it necessarily needs to do that) at some point and looks to take place in a futuristic space-oriented setting.

The Elder Scrolls VI

Like Starfield, we don't know much about The Elder Scrolls VI beyond that developer Bethesda is implementing a major engine change for it. Like Starfield, The Elder Scrolls VI could release for PS5 but Microsoft doesn't feel beholden to that, so the game is currently only confirmed to launch for Xbox Series X|S and PC at some point.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum

In The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, you'll play as the titular Gollum in an original story that takes place in the immediate years following his acquisition of Sauron's ring, and his subsequent descent into madness. . As Gollum dissociates and slips in and out of his different personas, you'll be able to choose which voices he listens to, influencing both the overall narrative and how Gollum perceives the world around him. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will release for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC in 2021.

The Medium

The Medium is about, well, a medium--in this psychological horror game, you play as Marianne, who's able to seamlessly transfer between the physical world and the spiritual realm. This allows you to look at and interact with the in-game world in two different ways to fight enemies, escape monsters, and solve puzzles. The Medium will launch for Xbox Series X|S and PC on January 28.

Unknown 9: Awakening

Unknown 9: Awakening is game set in a multimedia expanded universe that also includes podcasts, novels, and comic books--you have to experience all of them to get the full story. In Awakening, you play as Haroona, a young girl with supernatural powers. Unknown 9: Awakening will release for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC in 2021.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2

Following a second delay, it looks like Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is finally coming out. In this first-person RPG, you play as a vampire in Seattle who has only recently turned and now needs to find a way to fit into vampiric society and satiate their bloodlust without raising the suspicion of humans. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 will launch for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, and PC in 2021.