The Xbox One has been out since late 2013, and since then some of the best games on the console are its hidden gems. These games have flown under the radar for most gamers despite their celebrated reviews and massively entertaining gameplay. While they may not be some of the best games available on the Xbox One, they are certainly underappreciated for what they are.
Some of these titles Xbox fans might recognize by name, but thanks to other games released around the same time, it is likely many fans missed out on their experiences. Other titles on the list simply didn’t garner the same amount of attention as others, or may not have had a marketing budget big enough to compete with larger releases.
These Xbox One hidden gems range from big AAA titles to indie crowdfunded games. Each one, however, is unique in its own way and is definitely worth taking the time to explore.
Hidden Gems on Xbox One: Firewatch
Firewatch may not be the world's first walking simulator, but it is one of the most compelling ones. The game follows Henry as he runs away from his past and takes a new job as a fire lookout at a park. After mysterious events start to occur in the park it is up to players to uncover an old mystery. Playing through Firewatch is an emotional tale where every choice affects the relationship between in-game characters and changes the way players view them. Parts of Firewatch may feel mundane, but it only adds to the natural feel of the experience.
Hidden Gems on Xbox One: Superhot
Superhot is a first-person shooter that is built around a single concept - time only moves when you move. Superhot is as much of a puzzle game as it is a shooter, with players having to plan out their movements precisely to dodge oncoming bullets. As a part of its minimalist style, enemies show up bright red against a white environment. This helps players plan and move around bullets easily, since their trajectories stand out against the world.
The game of Superhot takes place inside another cryptic game the player is sent randomly by a friend. As they battle enemies and complete missions, the “game” sends messages to the player both dissuading and encouraging them to play more. After each successful mission, the game shouts “SUPER HOT” at the player, which is surprisingly cathartic.
Hidden Gems on Xbox One: Indivisible
Indivisible is a fantastic action RPG wrapped up in a platformer where players explore a beautifully hand-drawn world inspired by the mythology of various real-world cultures. The main character, Ajna, goes on a journey of exploration and self-discovery and teams up with a diverse cast of friends along the way.
Indivisible doesn’t rely on traditional RPG mechanics. Instead, it rewards players for experimenting with different party members and their unique gameplay mechanics. Combat can feel more like a fighting game, with an emphasis on stringing combos together and juggling enemies with attacks. The environment also plays a unique role in Indivisible’s combat system. Depending on where players initiate combat on the main screen affects the environment where players fight. Each feature of Indivisible works to create a fascinating word for players to get lost in.
Hidden Gems on Xbox One: Clustertruck
Clustertruck is a frantic, truck-based physics game of “the floor is lava.” Players have to leap from truck to truck as they race down an obstacle course of moving trucks and obstacles to try and reach the finish line. As players progress through stages, they unlock new abilities like a double jump and the ability to slow down time to better plan jumps.
Each stage is frustratingly clever, with new obstacles being thrown at players just as they start to understand the game. Some stages will have trucks will catapulting into the air, while the random nature of the physics mechanics can cause even the easiest stage to spiral out of control.
Hidden Gems on Xbox One: Titanfall 2
It may be hard to think that the game that inspired Apex Legends is an Xbox One hidden gem, but Titanfall 2 quickly fell off people’s radar since it released in the same month as Gears of War 4 and a Dark Souls 3 DLC. It’s a shame, because developer Respawn Entertainment listened to fan feedback and worked to make Titanfall 2 into the game players truly wanted.
A robust and entertaining single-player mode was also added, giving the Titanfall series some much-needed context about the world the mech fights take place in. While a little on the short side, moving between the slick pilot gameplay to the hulking mech combat features some of the smoothest mechanics on the Xbox One... or anywhere else.