10. Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition
Easy to play yet hard to master, Killer Instinct is a stunning fighting game and this Definitive Edition boasts 26 playable characters, 20 stages and much more content. With ridiculously over-the-top action, Killer Instinct is a deeply rewarding beat-‘em-up that plays just as well – if not better – than icons like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. Totally underrated, this one is certainly a hidden gem that deserves your time. Fight!
9. Quantum Break
This artistically distinct shooter is certainly one of the most visually stunning titles on the Xbox One and boasts one of the most intricately plotted and engrossing narratives. With fresh and innovative gameplay, Quantum Break gives you the power of time manipulation which allows for some incredibly exciting combat, while the star-studded cast all deliver fantastic performances in the unique live-action segments. A remarkable feat of modern gaming.
8. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
One look at the case of Mutant Year Zero will tell you all you need to know about the game – yes, that’s a mutant humanoid duck with an improvised crossbow. Taking place in a post-human Earth, this tactical strategy game puts you in control of a team of mutants as you unravel the story of what happened to the planet. With a deep combat system and brilliant stealth mechanics, this underappreciated hidden gem deserves your time.
7. Aragami 2
This fast-paced stealth game allows players to fulfil their assassin fantasy as they take the role of one of the last elite warriors of your kin, the Aragami. With a mythical power to control the shadows and a compelling full campaign playable, either alone or in co-op with up to 3 players, this unique game of stealth and assassination is a must for fans of ninja iconography who want to pull off the perfect execution from the shadows.
6. Mad Max
This beautifully crafted open-world adventure is one of the most criminally underrated games of the generation, faithfully replicating the atmosphere and tone of George Miller’s beloved movie series. With a vast wasteland to explore on foot or behind the wheel, this dynamic game is packed with content. Be it crafting and upgrading equipment or clashing with deadly gangs, the immersive Mad Max will keep you very busy. An absolute must for fans of the films or the open-world subgenre.
5. Life is Strange: True Colors
The fifth game in the Life is Strange series, this powerful and emotionally resonant graphic adventure focuses on Alex Chen, a woman who can experience the emotions of others. As she tries to solve the mystery behind her brother’s death, players will interact with a stunningly written and performed small-town mystery that results in not only the most compelling entry in the series but in gaming altogether.
4. Scarlet Nexus
Scarlet Nexus gifts the player with psycho-kinetic abilities, allowing the world around you to become your greatest weapon. As deranged mutants descend from the sky, it is up to you to protect a futuristic Japanese landscape from these hordes of enemies as you dive into a complex story crafted by minds behind the acclaimed Tales of Vesperia. This one is a must for fans of anime-influenced gaming.
3. The Council
This underrated modern classic breathes new life into the episodic genre as you take the role of secret society member Louis de Richet after his invitation to a private island off the shores of England. What follows is a thrilling historical mystery taking place over five episodes full of investigation and intrigue, with an effective choice system offering multiple branching outcomes. A truly engrossing and immersive title.
2. A Plague Tale: Innocence
The dark and emotional A Plague Tale: Innocence combines beauty and brutality for a truly unforgettable gaming experience. Boasting a compelling narrative, beautiful environments and characters you genuinely care about, the game transports the player to plague-ridden medieval France as you work to uncover the mystery of the devastation. This powerful and cinematic title is a must-have.
1. Bendy & The Ink Machine
One of the best things about gaming is discovering a passionate and independent title. Hidden beneath all the big hitters are games like Bendy & The Ink Machine, a beautifully animated and lovingly crafted puzzle game. Following an animator battling a nightmare of cartoon characters brought to life, this unlikely mix of survival horror and cartoons is ridiculously effective thanks to the unforgettable art design, bizarre humour and clever combat.
