Xbox Exclusives are games available exclusively on the Xbox platform, which includes the Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PCs through Xbox Game Studios. Developed or published by Microsoft’s internal studios or partnered developers, Xbox exclusive games have garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following over the years, enticing PlayStation users to get a taste of them on their consoles eventually.
Today, our listicle will cover the five best Xbox Exclusives PlayStation users are missing, and four sources confirmed Xbox Exclusives arriving on PlayStation consoles in the near future.
5 Best Xbox Exclusives
1) Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is the latest instalment in the critically acclaimed open-world racing Forza Horizon series developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. Since its first series released in 2012, the game has set the stage for the racing genre, with its newest masterpiece, Forza Horizon 5, taking place in a beautifully recreated Mexico, pushing the boundaries further with its expansive world, dynamic seasons, and diverse biomes.
As one of the most sought-after Xbox exclusives, the game features the largest and most diverse open world in the Forza Horizon series. Furthermore, the game includes a dynamic season system that changes the environment and gameplay, such as realistic weather effects, including tropical storms, sandstorms, and dynamic weather patterns.
In addition, Forza Horizon 5 offers a vast selection of vehicles from different eras and manufacturers, with over 500 to choose from, and players can customise their cars with performance upgrades and visual modifications. Lastly, players can utilise EventLab to create custom races and game modes, challenging others in the community to their personal unbeatable track.
Related: Forza Motorsport 8 Track List — Confirmed Maps
2) Microsoft Flight Simulator
We’ve talked about racing on the streets, and it’s time to switch our attention to the sky. Microsoft Flight Simulator is our second Xbox exclusives inductee, and it’s definitely different compared to other games. Released as an Xbox exclusive on July 27, 2021, Microsoft Flight Simulator can be considered a video game series with various iterations over the years, as the game initially started as a standard program for Microsoft computers back in 1977.
Along the way, various developers took it up and developed it into the thriving game we know today. Microsoft Flight Simulator is unique since few games allow you to experience air travel from the pilot’s POV. With the latest version, players can access detailed recreation of the entire Earth, using data from Bing Maps and Azure AI to render over 37,000 airports, 2 million cities, and 1.5 billion buildings.
Additionally, the game simulates the aerodynamic forces acting from light planes to commercial jets, providing a true-to-life flying experience. The game also features VR support, allowing players unparalleled levels of immersion, like they are seated inside the cockpit.
3) Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Although the game arrived just a month ago, the eagerly anticipated action-adventure game sequel to the critically acclaimed Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice developed by Ninja Theory, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II was an incredible visual showcase of technical prowess and cinematic experience.
In this sequel, the game continues the journey of Senua, a Pict warrior who battles both physical enemies and her inner demons. The story here delves deeper into her struggles and personal growth, as you can constantly hear the conflicting voices in her head that offer aid one minute and doubt the next. It is an experience you must enjoy with headsets on.
Moreover, the game’s combat and puzzle mechanics were significant improvements as the battles you faced feel more brutal, calculated and unforgiving, leaving you to think about every move you make. While the game is not suited to the faint-hearted, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is one of the few Xbox exclusives Xbox users do not want to share with PlayStation users.
4) Starfield
If you’re looking for something more open-world to cross over, Starfield might be the game you’re looking for. Set in outer space, Starfield is a single-player action RPG developed and published by Bethesda Studios. It takes you on an adventure into outer space, where you must interact with NPCs and other players to gather, build, and enhance your character’s attributes.
While starting the game, you’ll need to customise your character and choose three starting skills. Further progression will lead to unlocking abilities from five skill trees, including physical, social, combat, science, and tech. In addition to skills, you also receive various traits. Now, these traits aren’t all good, as they’ll provide you with a buff as well as a debuff, so choose wisely.
Form crews, build relationships, and gather resources to build and command your own spaceship. That is the way in Starfield and the only way players get to the top.
5) Palworld
Palworld has been the talk of the town in previous months, and people are going crazy about it. Being an adventure monster-taming game, the community quickly drew a stark comparison to Pokemon. However, despite these rumours, the game superseded expectations and found its way to the top.
Palworld revolves around exploring the Palpagos Islands and capturing rare Pals to aid you in battle. After obtaining your favourite Pals, you’ll need to upgrade them to make them stronger and take on harder Pals. Battling isn’t all they’re good at, as each Pal has unique skills like cooking, digging, crafting, etc, that you can set them to do.
This Xbox exclusive isn’t without direction, as you’ll find out soon enough. Plagued by antagonists like the Rayne Syndicate criminal organisation and Brothers of the Eternal Pyre fanatical group, you’ll encounter NPCs who will constitute the game’s boss battles. Take them down and assert your dominance as the best Pal trainer on the island.
Related: Palworld Under Scrutiny: Pokémon Company Investigates Massive Infringement Controversy in 2024
Sea of Thieves, Hi-FI Rush, Pentiment and Grounded Are Coming to PlayStation
According to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer at the official Xbox podcast back in February 2024, “Microsoft has officially made the decision to take four games to the other consoles”, with “a fundamental belief that over the next five or ten years exclusive games, games that are exclusive to one piece of hardware, are going to be a smaller and smaller part of the game industry.”
While there was no official confirmation of the four games, many credible sources stated that Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment would be the first batch, with Sea of Thieves and Grounded arriving later. Hence, we did not include some of these Xbox exclusives on our list.
However, do not be solemn, as Spencer ambiguously hinted more Xbox exclusives will arrive in the following years, and we will keep you up to date on our Twitter page as soon as news drops.