The Xbox Series X is one of the most intense ways to enjoy FPS games, and these titles are rated the best of what’s available per Metacritic.
With the recent release of Shadow Warrior 3, an old-school shooter with a visual flair that makes it perfect for the newest generation of consoles, there is more reason than ever to explore the first-person shooter games available on the Xbox Series X right now. There are plenty of great FPS titles to play on PS5, so it’s interesting to see how the Xbox library measures up.
While the Xbox Series X doesn’t have a huge range of FPS games, there is still plenty of variety on offer. Using the critic aggregator Metacritic, these games came out on top as the best anyone play on the Xbox Series X right now.
The 2021 follow-up to the Left 4 Dead games, Back 4 Blood is Turtle Rock Studios’ attempt at bringing back the zombie-shooting survival experience that so many players loved. The game was successful in a lot of ways, modernizing the UI, controls, graphics, and dragging the Left 4 Dead experience into the next-gen era of gaming.
Some additions to the game, such as the implementation of a card deck with perks that stack as games continue, have had more of a lukewarm response from fans, leading to the game’s mixed rating on Metacritic. Overall, the game retains the fun gunplay that made the original titles enjoyable and is a great coop FPS game.
The latest installment in the blockbuster FPS franchise, Call of Duty: Vanguard takes the combat back to the Second World War period with the classic weapons and gritty combat to match. Whether playing through the campaign or having fun with the many multiplayer game modes, Vanguard looks reliably incredible on the Series X.
The solo campaign is well-realized and features some memorable characters while the multiplayer modes can end up becoming a big time sink, including the revamped Zombies mode of course. The lack of innovation in Vanguard keeps it from reaching its true potential but there is still a lot to enjoy in the newest Call of Duty.
It’s firmly middle of the pack in terms of the best Call of Duty games, but the 2020 installment of the series from Treyarch and Raven Software still manages to get a lot of things right. In a year without a huge output of next-generation games for players on the Series X to enjoy, Black Ops Cold War came with a lot of content that all looked and felt very good.
Everything that players have come to expect from the franchise is here, including a solid solo campaign, a fun online mode, and zombies, which remains one of the best ways to play with friends. Despite some complaints about inconsistent performance issues, the game keeps a decent Metacritic rating.
The most intense and polished edition yet of the offbeat FPS series from Polish developers Flying Wild Hog, Shadow Warrior 3 released last month to favorable reviews. Shadow Warrior 3 mixes intuitive multiweapon combat with a parkour-like movement system that feels genuinely exciting.
The game puts the player back in the role of Lo Wang and, though he is on a mission to prevent the apocalypse through any means necessary, the game is more rewarding when pulling off stylish moves and using the movement and combat mechanics to their fullest. Whilst the story isn’t anything special, Shadow Warrior 3 looks great and has a lot of real thrills.
Mixing futuristic FPS combat with turn-based strategy, Lemnis Gate is a time-bending thriller from indie developers Ratloop Games Canada. Set inside a time loop, the game tasks the player with outsmarting and overcoming an opponent which requires abstract thinking and a high level of attention to detail in regard to the constantly changing timeline.
The focus and thought required to fully enjoy the gameplay of Lemnis Gate mean it’s not the ideal game for players who prefer to rely on their aim and reactions, but it certainly has its player base. For players who are willing to invest the time and attention needed, Lemnis Gate can be very rewarding as well as a highly addictive experience.
This enhanced edition of the survival exploration FPS set in one of the most immersive worlds in gaming is undoubtedly the best way to get the Metro Exodus experience. The game received favorable reviews when the complete edition was released last year and it was praised for how it managed to boost the visual appeal of an already great-looking game.
Additionally, Metro Exodus still delivers a powerful story-driven experience that utilizes survival horror and stealth elements to powerful effect. The game isn’t without its flaws but it feels like a title that truly belongs on a new generation console, with the kind of scale and ambition that deserves to be seen on the Xbox Series X.
An alternative to the blockbuster FPS titles like Call of Duty, Hell Let Loose is a hardcore World War 2 shooter that doesn’t compromise on portraying the chaos of large-scale combat. Making use of innovative techniques to create large, realistic maps, Hell Let Loose puts the player in the shoes of a soldier in a 50 vs 50 battle for victory.
The game presents battles that constantly shift, meaning that tactics play a big part in which team comes out on top. As the front line moves and brings new terrain and cover, gaining dominance can require quick thinking. For players who want a grittier FPS thrill, there aren’t many games better than Hell Let Loose.
The latest expansion to Destiny 2 from Bungie, The Witch Queen has more than enough content to be a standalone game and is a must-play for fans of the free-to-play shooter. Adding a ton of story content, The Witch Queen brings hours of gameplay that includes several revamps to keep things interesting.
Among these are the new Glaive weapon type and the exciting prospect of weapons crafting which allows the player to create unique weaponry to suit their own style. Unfortunately, grinding remains a must to get the most out of these new features which may put off new players to the franchise.
Remastering one of the best first-person shooter games of all time was always likely to be a recipe for success, and that has certainly proved to be the case here. This title drags the 1996 shooter into the modern era, keeping the addictive fast-paced gunplay that made the original so great for the time but having the performance to match its modern equivalents.
Whilst it’s not the full-scale remake in the style of the modern DOOM games that some fans may have hoped for, there is plenty of content here with a new feel, including two unreleased DLCs made by MachineGames. On top of that, the game simply feels great to play and will have older players feeling nostalgic for a different time in FPS gaming.
With the new Halo television series coming out as well as the success of this latest title in the series, now is a great time to be a fan of the sci-fi FPS franchise. Halo Infinite is considered a return to form for the Halo games and it certainly lives up to that billing with a comprehensive and well-realized shooter experience that will please old and new fans.
The gameplay of Halo Infinite feels slick and both the campaign and multiplayer have more than enough content to keep most players coming back. Although the game’s lack of risk-taking keeps it at a respectable 87 critic score on Metacritic, the game manages to feel a cut above the rest on the Xbox Series X.
