Despite gearing up for the release of Xbox Series X later on this year, Xbox One continues to be a platform worth getting excited about throughout 2020. That’s due to all the great games still coming out, with Xbox One’s line-up being one of the most diverse of out of the three major home consoles. Whether you’re eager to dive into great multiplatform releases or stellar first-party exclusives, Xbox One has it all covered for 2020.
Better yet, the great thing about playing games on Xbox One is that Game Pass subscribers gain access to all the platform exclusives from day one. This means that for just one low monthly fee you can stay on top of all things Xbox One easily. Still, just in case you’re undecided about which forthcoming games you should spend your hard-earned cash on, we’ve rounded up the best 10 upcoming Xbox One games in 2020.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps – February 11, 2020
The long-awaited sequel to 2015’s indie cult classic, Ori and the Will of the Wisps once again will allow players to take on the role of the eponymous Ori, exploring an enthralling 2D metroidvania world that’s been painted entirely by hand. Don’t be fooled by the game’s cute aesthetic, however, as it promises to be just as challenging as the first. Moon Studios’ stunning action-platformer releases exclusively on Xbox One early in the year this February, so we won’t have to wait long.
Doom Eternal – March 20, 2020
Originally slated to release during last year’s holiday season, Doom Eternal is the bigger, better and more badass sequel to Id Software’s 2016 reboot of the Hellish series. It places just as much emphasis on the critically lauded ‘push-forward’ combat that players loved, in which you’re encouraged to face your enemies head on to acquire more health on ammo, as opposed to simply hiding behind cover. Doom Eternal sees the Earth overrun by demonic forced, giving the Doomslayer good cause to wreak even more havoc. Look forward to its release on March 20th.
Bleeding Edge – March 24, 2020
A developer most known for narrative-driven single-player games such as Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and the 2013 reboot of Devil May Cry, it came as a big surprise to learn that Ninja Theory’s next game would be multiplayer focussed. Bleeding Edge marks the first game it’s making since being purchased by Microsoft as a first-party studio, serving as a colourful fighter that lets players duke it out as any one of 12 unique characters. Each is either an assassin, support or tank class, all of which we’ll learn more about when Bleeding Edge releases this March.
Resident Evil 3 – April 3, 2020
Last year’s 21st century remake of Resident Evil 2 impressed greatly thanks to its gruesome attention to detail, incredibly spooky atmosphere and tight over-the-shoulder gunplay. It was no surprise to learn, then, that Resident Evil 3 would receive the same treatment. Arriving on Xbox One this April 3rd, the remake of this Ps One classic will once again see you play as Jill, forced to traverse the zombie-infested streets of Raccoon City while the Nemesis monster chases after her. Expect classic survival horror gameplay in all its glory when Resident Evil 3 releases.
Cyberpunk 2077 – April 16, 2020
One of the most highly anticipated games possibly not just of the year, but of the past decade is arguably Cyberpunk 2077. Developed by the same folks behind the open-world fantasy epic The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, this new take on the futuristic RPG sets players off within the neon-laden world of Night City, which pulls heavily from all bouts of sci-fi fiction to create one of the most believable worlds ever. All will be revealed when Cyberpunk 2077 releases this April 16th on Xbox One.
Gears Tactics – April 28, 2020
Having already been treated to the most ambitious Gears of War entry yet with the release of Gears 5 last year, nobody could have predicted that the series would also been getting a turn-based tactical RPG next time around. However, that’s the next big Xbox One exclusive game players will be able to sink their teeth into with the release of Gears Tactics, which winds the series’ timeline back to the very beginning to play out events leading up to the first game. Of course, Xbox franchises have made the switch to strategy a couple times before, as seen with Halo Wars, so here’s hoping Gears Tactics proves to be just as enticing.
Wasteland 3 – May 19, 2020
Fancy yourself able to survive within the post-apocalyptic wilderness? Xbox’s Wasteland series has been the perfect franchise in which to prove it, as evidenced by the release of the third game in the series which release on Xbox One on May 19th. As before, you can play solo or with a friend, where you’ll be able to complete a weaving series of complex story missions while doing your best to survive and set up camp – all from a unique isometric perspective. Wasteland 3 lands on Xbox One this May 19th, purchasable on its own or free for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
Grounded – TBC 2020
The developers of Grounded quite clearly thought to themselves, “what if we made a game that let you live out the events of Honey I Shrunk The Kids?” That’s because this is a game that sees you shrunken down to the size of an ant, tasked with surviving from all the dangers your average American garden could bring. Grounded is being made from the same people behind last year’s open-world space epic The Outer Worlds, but they’ve already made it clear that this is a more pared-back experience. Even still, this is one of the most intriguing Xbox One exclusives to release in 2020.
Dying Light 2 – TBC 2020
The original Dying Light released early on within the Xbox One’s lifecycle, providing a much-needed new spin on the tried-and-tested zombie genre. Dying Light 2 up the stakes by maintaining the same addictive parkour mechanics that sees you able to traverse any building, all while infusing it with a new moral choice system where the actions you take will directly affect the status of the people and city around you. Will you solely attempt to save yourself or dedicate resources to those in need? Dying Light 2 will accommodate both when it releases some time in 2020.
Watch Dogs Legion – TBC 2020
After getting off to a rocky start with the first Watch Dogs game, the sequel arrived in 2016 as a more confident and humour-filled open world romp. Watch Dogs Legion is set to continue this trend when it releases on Xbox One in 2020, where players will take control of a hacker in London that is able to recruit any member of the public to aid in DedSec’s cause. What’s more, this isn’t your standard version of London, but rather a heavily policed iteration set in the neat future. Your mission is to fight back against this totalitarianism and hack your way to victory.
