In all honesty, Xbox didn't have the best of years when it came to exclusives in 2023, While 2023 was hands down one of the best years in gaming ever with an insane lineup at The Game Awards Xbox exclusives were a mixed bag. We had some highlights like Hi-Fi Rush hitting the mark but then titles like Redfall falling short. Starfield also received mixed reviews with some people loving it and others being disappointed by Bethesda's latest IP. Whilst I don't think 2023 was a bad year for Xbox exclusives it is outshone by the exclusives of Nintendo, Sony and fantastic third-party titles (a lot of which luckily play great on Xbox Series X).
So with that said let's look at 2024, there were several postponements last year with games like Stalker 2 being delayed which could potentially mean 2024 could be a bit more stacked than 2023 if there aren't too many more delays. In writing this list I think there are some really solid games to look forward to, with some of the smaller-scale titles being my most anticipated titles like Dungeons of Hinterberg and Towerborne. Games on the list below don't always have dates set yet so they'll be tentative and if any other Xbox exclusives crop up for release we will be adding them as soon as possible. All games on this list will also be available with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and will most certainly play best on the Xbox Series X. So let's get into what's in store for Xbox exclusives in 2024.
Best Xbox Exclusives coming in 2024 and beyond in release order (click to jump to a specific title):
If you're looking for other platform-exclusive releases for 2024 or just a list of all the biggest titles we've got you covered with these articles:
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Release Date: November 19th 2024
Developer: Asobo Studio
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Flight Simulator
Trailer: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Trailer - YouTube
Expanded on the base built back in 2020 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is adding a plethora of options in the ways it is played with rescue missions, goods transportation, research flights and more. This means more variety than before to keep players engaged for longer. Looking at the trailer the visuals look insane on this title and it is looking to really solid itself as the best premium flight simulator on the market.
Release Date: November 20th 2024
Developer: GSC Game World
Publisher: GSC Game World
Genre: Action, Adventure, Shooter, Survival Horror
Trailer: S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2 Heart of Chornobyl Official Trailer - Youtube
STALKER 2 has been delayed a couple of times due to the events in Ukraine where developer GSC Game World is based. GSC Game World has now withdrawn from Kyiv and moved the project to Prague and have now slated the game for a 2024 release date as an Xbox Series X|S console exclusive. We wouldn't be surprised if this one gets pushed back further with the difficulties the development of this title has faced.
The original STALKER game was released back in 2007, the game is set in a post-apocalyptic Earth which immerses players in this quite frankly terrifying world with an exceptional story. Over a decade and a half later the game is finally getting a sequel continuing from the events of the first game but bringing the series into the current generation of gaming. Players will once again be pitted against dangerous mutants who call the exclusion zone Chernobyl home as they struggle to survive in this grim dark world, but it is perhaps the infighting of factions and non-mutants that is the greater danger. Survive the brutal world of STALKER 2: Heart of Chenobyl and enjoy it's narrative-driven shooter action later this year.
33 Immortals
Release Date: 2024
Developer: Thunder Lotus Games
Publisher: Thunder Lotus Games
Genre: Fighting Game, Shooter, Roguelike
Trailer: 33 Immortals Trailer - YouTube
I love roguelike games and have always felt that there aren't enough options for roguelike in co-op well 33 Immortals from Thunder Lotus Games could be changing this where you and 32 other, yes 32 players jump in together to take down huge bosses. The veteran wow player in me is already too excited.
This new chaotic spin on the rogue-like genre partnered with a gorgeous aesthetic is making 33 Immortals look like a real hidden gem of an Xbox exclusive in 2024 and I can't wait to jump into it on release.
ARK 2
Release Date: 2024
Developer: Studio Wildcard
Publisher: Studio Wildcard
Genre: Action, Adventure, Survival
Trailer: Ark 2 Trailer - YouTube
The first Ark game is one I have sunk hundreds of hours into at this point, from its early access where it ran at around 10 frames per second to now where it is filled with so many different creatures and has all-new maps each with its own ecosystems and characteristics which completely alter the flavour of the gameplay. I love Ark, I'm a fan of survival games and the whole hunting, taming and breeding of dinosaurs is just pure fun to me. Growing attached to the creatures I befriend as you build your own base and survive in a tough world just speaks to me, and therefore I'm looking forward to the sequel. Unfortunately Ark 2 has now been delayed to 2024 so we're going to have to wait a bit longer to see what Studio Wildcard has in store for the sequel.
Ark 2 is looking to take the elements we know and love from the first game and bring them forward to be a next-gen experience. Movement, combat and most of the fundamentals of the game are being redesigned to make for an all-around better experience, the original game definitely has its clunkiness so the gameplay being polished is definitely a smart move. Ark 2s progenitor was definitely enjoyed more as an online experience by many thanks to its PVP but I played primarily solo in PVE as I didn't like the idea of my base getting destroyed whilst I was at work or asleep! It seems like for players like myself ARK 2 has a lot more to offer with an epic story headed up by Vin Diesel, yes Vin Diesel is in this game, and also AI tribes that will take you on with their own dinosaur companions. If you're a fan of Ark we think you're going to enjoy the sequel in all its Unreal Engine 5 glory.
Avowed
Release Date: 2024
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
Trailer: Avowed Trailer - YouTube
Obsidian Entertainment is a renowned developer when it comes to building great RPGs with a number of brilliant titles in their resume. They're currently working on Avowed which was announced 3 years ago and we recently saw a proper gameplay trailer back in June at the Xbox showcase. This new title is set in the Living Lands which is the lore-rich world of their Pillars of Eternity series however Avowed will not be a cRPG but more of an Action RPG something akin to an Elder Scrolls title. A game that looks perfect for fantasy fans with both magical and melee combat set in a world of wonder. The trailer seems to indicate that due to the protagonist's power, they could be a force for good and evil so we're hoping to see Obsidian lean into this with the story telling and player choice.
Not a lot is known about Avowed as of yet when it comes to its systems and design as we've only seen this one simple gameplay trailer. Avowed should be coming in 2024 if there are no large delays and we hope to see more of the title as the year progresses to find out more about what to expect from Obsidians Xbox exclusive for 2024.
Clockwork Revolution
Release Date: 2024
Developer: inXile Entertainment
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG
Trailer: Clockwork Revolution Trailer - YouTube
inXile Entertainment are best known for the Wasteland series and has a rich history in the RPG genre, their next game Clockwork Revolution scheduled for 2024 gives strong Bioshock vibes with its steam-punk settings and first-person perspective. If there's something people are hungry for it's more Bioshock-like titles after such a long hiatus.
The protagonist in this title can turn back time but it seems that in doing so you'll soon discover that the city of that all may not be as it seems in the city of Avalon. The plot seems to be heavily based on the effects of time travel and how your actions can cause the world to change.
Everwild
Release Date: 2024
Developer: Rare
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Action, Adventure
Trailer: Everwild Trailer - YouTube
Rare's next big project is Everwild, a new IP that was announced back in 2019. Honestly very little is known about Everwild, Rare has been really quiet during its development but there's one thing we do know and that is that the game is stunning. Everwild features a cel-shaded art style in a vast magical landscape played from the third-person perspective. We're curious to hear more about this game and what the actual gameplay will entail, the fantastic animation and art style are a great start but we need to see more.
With so little information it's hard to say if we will be seeing Everwild in 2024 or it will be falling back further but we'll be keeping our eye on it.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Release Date: 2024
Developer: MachineGames
Publisher: Bethesda
Genre: Action, Adventure
Trailer: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Gameplay Reveal Trailer - YouTube
An exciting surprise revealed back at the start of 2024, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is giving the legendary archaeologist his own triple-A game. The Great Circle is being developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda, and so far looks to be a big boost in the collection of Xbox-exclusives since Microsoft acquired Bethesda in 2021.
Surprisingly, The Great Circle will mainly be played from a first-person perspective with third-person being employed for contextual elements such as environmental interaction. The Great Circle takes place in 1937 across real-world locations like Rome, Thailand, Egypt, Shanghai and the Himalayas, where Indy must thwart various groups who are seeking to harness a power connected to the Great Circle. From the little we've seen so far, it looks to really capture that excitement of the Indiana Jones films.
Towerborne
Release Date: 2024
Developer: Stoic Studio
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Adventure
Trailer: South of Midnight Trailer - YouTube
The latest title from Stoic Studio the developer who brought us the Banner Saga is Towerborne. An online co-op Xbox exclusive that feels akin to something like castle crashers but brought into the modern-day with a great art style and animation.
You must take on the role of an ace, this means you are a reincarnated being that has harnessed special skills making you a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Alongside your allies, you must protect your belfry slaying monsters. Looks like game can be enjoyed solo or with friends, can't wait to see more of this one.
Fable
Release Date: TBC
Developer: Playground Games
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Action, RPG
Trailer: Fable Trailer - YouTube
Fable is a beloved series and Playground Games is going to be bringing it back for the Xbox Series X and S sometime in the future. So far we've only seen a cinematic-style trailer featuring Richard Ayoyade faithfully showing the humour we've come to expect from Fable games. Playground Games don't seem ready to show much more off yet so the new Fable game could be a couple of years away yet but patience is a virtue and we can't wait to see more about this one.
So there you have our list of some of the much-anticipated games releasing exclusively on Xbox in 2024 and beyond. Frustratingly the dates here are very broad but we're hoping Microsoft and the game's respective developers give us more concrete information as the year progresses and we will update the list accordingly.
Which of these exclusives has piqued your interest? Let us know below if there are any other exclusives you think deserve to be on this list.
