The Xbox Series X was released on November 10, 2020. Unfortunately, as is often the case with major console releases, supply was dangerously and frustratingly low, resulting in a long list of customers waiting impatiently for the stores to restock.
Those who did manage to get their hands on a console were greeted with a great lineup of games. Some of these games are mainstream, AAA titles that were almost guaranteed big sellers. Others flew under the radar, either the result of lackluster word-of-mouth, a poor marketing campaign, or an independent developer. The results are hidden gems - little-known games that are surprisingly great.
It Takes Two
It Takes Two is the second video game from Hazelight Studios and the long-awaited follow-up to their 2018 hit A Way Out. Hazelight are one of the leading names in multiplayer gaming. As was the case with A Way Out, It Takes Two is a solely multiplayer experience that is specifically designed for split-screen.
In a way, it harkens back to the glory multiplayer days of old, when split screen gaming was the only way to play with friends. In a way, It Takes Two is both wonderfully nostalgic and brilliantly original.
Samurai Shodown
Samurai Shodown is a long-running fighting series by SNK. The first title was released all the way back in 1993 and was developed for all the leading systems of its age, including the Genesis, Super Nintendo, and 3DO. 26 years later, Samurai Shodown was released for both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One and received generally favorable reviews.
Unfortunately, the game flew under the radar and remains second fiddle to the likes of Mortal Kombat. 2019's Samurai Shodown was subsequently ported to the Series X on March 16, 2021.
The Medium
Bloober Team are one of the leading names in the current horror field, having developed the likes of Layers of Fear and Blair Witch. In 2021, the team returned after a two-year absence with The Medium, a psychological horror game in which players control...a spiritual medium.
The title received good reviews and received various nominations at Gamescom 2020, including Best Action Adventure Game and Best Indie Game.
Spacebase Startopia
Back in 2001, Mucky Foot Productions released a comical business simulator titled Startopia in which the player was tasked with building, maintaining, and popularizing various space bases. It received newfound popularity in the early 2010s after being re-released through GOG and Steam.
In March of 2021, a remake of the game titled Spacebase Startopia was released for all major consoles, including the Xbox Series X. It's a good game for both returning and first-time players alike.
Monster Energy Supercross - The Official Video Game 4
Questionable title aside, Monster Energy Supercross - The Official Video Game 4 is a decent little motocross game developed by Italian company Milestone. Milestone is well known for their other motocross racing titles, including the MotoGP and MGXP series.
As the title suggests, these games are officially licensed by the energy drink Monster and feature real motocross locales and tracks. The fourth iteration of the series was released for the Xbox Series X in March 2021.
Monster Truck Championship
Developed by Maximum Games, Monster Truck Championship is a monster truck sim that sees players both driving, building, and maintaining their respective monster trucks. The game also allows for online play, giving players the ability to show off their monstrous creations to others.
The game wouldn't be mistaken for a AAA gaming experience, as it suffers from a frustrating lack of content. But when it comes to monster truck simulators on home consoles, it's hard to beat Monster Truck Championship.
Control: Ultimate Edition
The original Control was released on all major consoles in August of 2019. Developed by Remedy Entertainment (popular for their Max Payne series of games), Control proved a Metroidvania experience in which players used supernatural powers to defeat an otherworldly enemy.
The game earned strong reviews and proved a commercial success, moving over two million units. The game has since received an Ultimate Edition that contains all the expansions and free updates.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood
This action RPG was developed by Cyanide, a company well known for their Pro Cycling Manager series and 2018's Call of Cthulhu. Like the latter, this game deals with monsters - primarily, werewolves. It is based on the tabletop game of the same name and serves as part of the World of Darkness series.
Players control an eco-terrorist werewolf who has the ability to morph from wolf to human as they fight a company causing pollution in the American Northwest.
Outriders
Released on all major consoles on April 1, 2021, Outriders is the new game from development team People Can Fly. A Polish company, People Can Fly are known for porting various Gears of War games and for developing 2017's Fortnite: Save the World.
Outriders is a co-op third-person shooter that sees players controlling custom characters belonging to four unique classes - including one character that can manipulate time and another that can shoot fire.
Immortals Fenyx Rising: A New God
Originally known as Gods and Monsters, Immortals Fenyx Rising was developed and published by Ubisoft. The game is an action-adventure that sees players controlling a character named Fenyx. The game is rooted heavily in Greek mythology, being narrated by Prometheus and Zeus and containing a map that is heavily influenced by various Greek gods.
Like most Ubisoft adventure games, Immortals Fenyx Rising takes place in a massive open world. A New God serves as the first of three DLC packs, released on January 28, 2021.