Gaming is an expensive hobby, especially if you want to keep up with the latest games. This year Xbox One gamers have been spoilt with an incredible selection of titles to choose from.
If you’re buying for an Xbox One gamer this year then there’s no better present than brand a new game for their beloved console.
Below you’ll find our top 20 picks for Xbox One gamers this year. Stay tuned to EF for games gift guides for other consoles.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Age Rating: 18+
This year saw a return to form for Ubisoft’s series with the best Assassin’s Creed since Brotherhood. Syndicate is set in Victorian London and puts the player in the shoes of twins Evie and Jacob Frye. It’s a perfect gift for fans of the series. Read our Assassin’s Creed Syndicate review to see what we thought of the game.
Batman: Arkham Knight
Age Rating: 18+
Batman: Arkham Knight is the final instalment from developers Rocksteady. It’s the biggest and best Batman game yet and features a huge cast of characters. It also introduces the Batmobile as a drivable vehicle for the first time. A perfect gift for fans of the caped crusader.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Age Rating: 18+
Call of Duty has stuck with the future setting for this year’s instalment. Boasting three games in one there’s plenty to keep fans busy on Christmas day with an eight hour campaign, online multiplayer and the biggest zombies mode to date.
Destiny – The Taken King
Age Rating: 16+
Our favourite game of last year has continued to get better. There’s never been a better time to jump into Destiny. The Taken King legendary edition features the original game, the first two downloadable add-on packs and the new The Taken King expansion. Essential for any online shooter fan.
Fallout 4
Age Rating: 18+
Fallout 4 is set in a post-apocalyptic Boston in the year 2287, 210 years after a nuclear war. Once the player exits an underground bunker known as a Vault it’s pretty much up to them what they do next. There’s hundreds of hours of gameplay in Fallout 4 so it will keep players busy well into the New Year.
FIFA 16
Age Rating: 3+
FIFA continues to be the best footie game around so it’s the perfect gift for any football mad gamer. This year has the usual raft of improvements but also features female players for the first time.
Forza Motorsport 6
Age Rating: 3+
The biggest and best Forza to date with over 450 cars. This years instalment adds weather, more tracks and a brand new story mode. A perfect gift for petrol heads.
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
Age Rating: 18+
We’re still waiting for the new Gears of War 4 to come to Xbox One. However that doesn’t mean Gears fans have to wait to play their favourite series. This is a remastered edition of the original Gears of War and also comes with downloads of the other games in the series via the new Xbox One backwards compatibility.
Guitar Hero Live
Age Rating: 12+
It’s been five years since we had a new Guitar Hero title but the best music series has finally returned. Live features a brand new guitar controller and lets you experience the thrill of playing on stage to a live festival crowd. It also features the new Guitar Hero TV service that will keep fans busy forever. Read our Guitar Hero Live review to see what we thought of the game.
Grand Theft Auto V
Age Rating: 18+
We’ve been playing GTA V since it was released on the Xbox 360 over 2 years ago. It’s been out on the Xbox One now for over a year and the game is better than ever. Featuring a campaign that will last most players over 30 hours the game doesn’t end there. Whether you prefer to play offline or jump online for multiplayer shenanigans with your mates there’s endless entertainment to be had. There’s even a video creator built into the game allowing you to make your own movies.
Halo 5
Age Rating: 16+
Master Chief is back with his first new Halo game for Xbox One. This time he’s bringing his fellow Blue Team Spartan-IV’s. He’s also gone rogue so gamers will need to track him down with Jameson Locke and Osiris Team. Featuring 4-player online co-op and the best Halo multiplayer yet. This will keep fans busy until Halo 6 arrives.
Just Cause 3
Age Rating: 18+
Set after the events of Just Cause 2, Rico Rodriguez is back as he returns to his fictional homeland of Medici. The players job is to take down the evil dictator which means causing lots and lots of destruction. With a huge open world to explore the player is free to go about their mission pretty much as they see fit. The grappling hook and parachute return alongside a new edition of a wingsuit. Just Cause 3 is insane amounts of fun.
Mad Max
Age Rating: 18+
A game based on the film of the same name sees players set off on a journey of revenge. Max must travel the world to obtain the parts needed to repair and enhance his car, the Magnum Opus. The game features some entertaining characters and lots of exciting vehicular combat.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Age Rating: 18+
An open world stealth combat game from Hideo Kojima. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain has too many features to list and has hundreds of hours of gameplay.
Need for Speed
Age Rating: 12+
One for the car fans, this year’s Need for Speed brings open world racing to the series. Set in the fictional city of Ventura Bay, players join a group of racers and must race to earn reputation to be noticed by the game’s icons.
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Age Rating: 18+
The only way to play the new Tomb Raider game this year is on the Xbox One. It follows on from the series reboot and is Lara’s most impressive adventure yet. Tomb Raider fans will be delighted to find this under the tree on xmas morning.
Star Wars Battlefront
Age Rating: 16+
With Star Wars: The Force Awakens just a couple of weeks away Battlefront is the perfect gift for Star Wars fans. Battlefront is all about the online multiplayer and allows you to relive your favourite battles from the Star Wars movies. The highlights for us is the Battle of Hoth where it’s rebels vs. empire complete with snow speeders and AT-AT walkers.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Age Rating: 18+
Players play as Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter who sets off on an epic journey. The Witcher features the most detailed world we’ve ever come across and will keep players busy for well over 100 hours. A great gift for RPG fans.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
Age Rating: 18+
Siege is an online-only game that is designed for players who like a shooter with a lot more thought. With some like-minded friends and some careful planning this is one of the most rewarding multiplayer experiences of the year. Our favourite mode is terrorist hunt.
Transformers: Devastation
Age Rating: 12+
Fans of the Generation 1 Transformers from the 80’s finally go their wish granted this year. Platinum Games created Transformers: Devastation an action game featuring the original voice cast and it looks just like the cartoons. Read our Transformers: Devastation review to see what we thought of the game.
