The Xbox Series X/S is getting ready for yet another great year of video games, with a plethora of exclusives and cross-platform titles ready to launch for it in 2025. Whether it's enormous triple-A extravaganzas from some of the best developers out there to smaller yet still incredibly ambitious indies, there will be more than enough for fans to enjoy throughout what is set to be a stacked 2025.

Of course, players likely still have a lot of Xbox's best 2024 games to enjoy in the early months of 2025. However, once the backlog has been cleared, Xbox s will be able to sink their teeth into some of the most-anticipated games of all time. Luckily, a lot of these are dropping onto Xbox Game on day one, giving subscribers a lot to look forward to.

10 Avowed (Obsidian Entertainment)

Coming February 18, 2025

Avowed is the latest RPG to come from Obsidian Entertainment, the folks behind Fallout: New Vegas, The Outer Worlds, and a handful of amazing CRPGs including Pillars of Eternity and its sequel. In fact, Avowed belongs to the same universe as the Pillars of Eternity series, although it's a first-person adventure akin to Skyrim, rather than an isometric CRPG.

It isn't necessary to have played Pillars of Eternity or its sequel in order to jump into Avowed. While they are connected and set within the same universe, Avowed tells a separate standalone story.

Avowed is actually one of the first Xbox exclusives to launch in 2025, coming on February 18. It's the perfect time, especially for those disappointed with Dragon Age: Veilguard, as it looks set to offer a truly rewarding fantasy RPG experience. Previews have already dropped for Avowed, and they are extremely glowing. So, it looks like fans should absolutely be getting hyped for Obsidian Entertainment's next game.

9 Fable (Playground Games)

Coming Sometime In 2025

Fable has been a long time coming, with the latest game in the series being delayed several times. Fortunately, it is set to release sometime in 2025, hopefully giving fans of the original games who have been waiting 15 years since Fable 3 everything they've been waiting for. Of course, the new Fable's art direction is different, but it looks like it still retains a lot of the charm that made those iconic games so great in the first place.

Fable will be perfect for those who want a grand fantasy adventure, especially after finishing Avowed. It will also serve as yet another Xbox exclusive in 2025, making it another great year for Xbox Series X/S s. While its more lighthearted tone may not be for everyone, Fable looks set to be another great game, especially if it follows in the footsteps of 2025's other Xbox exclusives.

8 South Of Midnight (Compulsion Games)

It Is Planned For Release In 2025

South of Midnight looks like an extremely unique third-person action-adventure game set in the Deep South. It puts players in the role of Hazel as she explores a world in which folklore has come to life. South of Midnight sports an art direction akin to the Spider-Verse films, with its cutscenes being the star of the show. With some great art direction and a compelling plot, this could end up being Xbox's best exclusive for 2025.

It is developed by the folks behind the somewhat controversial yet very unique We Happy Few. However, South of Midnight looks like it has learned from its developer's past mistakes and offers a cinematic and gorgeous adventure not unlike the phenomenal Kena: Bridge of Spirits. For those who want a more indie experience, South of Midnight is the perfect game to get excited about in 2025.

7 The Outer Worlds 2 (Obsidian Entertainment)

It Will Release Sometime In 2025

It's hard to believe that The Outer Worlds 2 is finally releasing in 2025, even if it is coming to PS5 as well as Xbox on day one. After a phenomenal first trailer, The Outer Worlds 2 has piqued players' interest, especially as there are a lot of areas it can improve upon from the first game. It also offers a great alternative for those who didn't enjoy Starfield, as it is set to be a choice-driven open-world sci-fi extravaganza.

This is Obsidian Entertainment's second game of the year, which is pretty impressive considering the scale of both The Outer Worlds 2 and Avowed.

This is Obsidian Entertainment's second game of the year, which is pretty impressive considering the scale of both The Outer Worlds 2 and Avowed. With several worlds to explore, characters to meet, and a lot of wit and humor to enjoy, The Outer Worlds 2 may not be an Xbox exclusive, but it is going to be a genuinely compelling journey to embark upon.

6 DOOM: The Dark Ages (Id Software)

It's Planned To Release In 2025

DOOM: The Dark Ages is bringing the series back to its roots and even back in time. It's a medieval (sort of) action-packed adventure full of cyborg dragons, buzzsaw shields, and, of course, lots of guns. For DOOM fans, The Dark Ages promises another gore-filled experience that's sure to entertain fans and newcomers to the decades-old franchise.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is actually a prequel to 2016's DOOM, which makes it a great jumping-on point for those who prefer its aesthetic over the previous entries. It's also the origin of the DOOM Slayer, which will be fun for those who have been following the mythos. Of course, fans can still expect a cinematic and visceral adventure like in the other games.

5 Gears of War: E-Day (The Coalition)

It Will Likely Release In Late 2025

Much like DOOM: The Dark Ages, Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel to one of the greatest Xbox franchises of all time. It follows Marcus and Dom during the day the Locust Horde broke through the earth and started to wreak havoc. Players will need to survive against all the odds, something that, unlike in the previous Gears of War games, Marcus and Dom aren't as prepared for.

Gears of War: E-Day may be a prequel, but it is set to fix the mistakes of previous Gears games, offering players who have been waiting a long time, even since Gears of War 5, another gripping sci-fi game. It could even rival its new competitor which has been dominating the third-person cover shooter genre, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, when it launches in late 2025.

4 Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (Jump Over The Age)

Releasing On January 31, 2025

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is launching exclusively on Xbox and PC on January 31, 2025. It is the sequel to the indie darling Citizen Sleeper, which offered a compelling insight into a nightmarish world run by corporations. Citizen Sleeper 2 expands upon the gameplay loop of the first game in many ways, such as by running a crew and upgrading a ship.

For indie fans, especially dice-driven RPGs, Citizen Sleeper 2 is starting 2025 off with a bang. With gorgeous artwork, incredible writing, and even bigger ambitions, Starward Vector could be the indie game of the year. It's definitely a game worth getting hyped over, and fortunately, Xbox s don't have to wait long before it drops on Series X/S.

3 Atomfall (Rebellion Developments)

It's Dropping On March 27, 2025

Atomfall is often described as Fallout in Britain, and it's a fairly apt description. It sees players unravel a mystery across the gorgeous yet extremely dangerous and radioactive English countryside after a nuclear disaster ravages the country. Filled with terrifying robots, raiders, and bizarre factions, players must venture across this dangerous wasteland in search of answers.

Much like in Fallout 4, players can craft their own weapons and must scavenge for resources to survive. This is coming from the developer behind the Sniper Elite and Zombie Army series, although it is played from a first-person perspective. Atomfall has been high on player's lists for quite a while for good reason, and it is sure to become a critical darling when it launches in March 2025.

2 33 Immortals (Thunder Lotus Games)

It Was Delayed Into 2025

33 Immortals was originally meant to launch in 2024 but was delayed by its developer Thunder Lotus Games - the folks behind the wonderfully heartbreaking Spiritfarer - into 2025. It is, as the title suggests, a co-op roguelike in which 33 players band together to take on huge hordes of monsters and terrifying boss fights. It's a new take on the roguelike genre that is sure to surprise fans.

It s the pantheon of Xbox indie exclusives launching in 2025, which certainly makes it a packed year. Of course, it's hard to complain, especially when coming from a developer with such a great reputation. The handcrafted visuals and animations elevate this otherwise incredible-looking roguelike adventure which will hopefully deliver when it drops sometime in 2025.

1 Ark 2 (Studio Wildcard/Grove Street Games)

It Should Release In Early 2025

Ark 2 was supposed to release in 2024, but seemingly skipped its release date and is moving into 2025. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing, as it gives players more than enough to get stuck into across the year. Ark 2 is changing things up from its predecessor, but it seems in the best ways possible. It's learned a lot of lessons and is offering players a far grander and more ambitious experience that will be perfect for dino enthusiasts.

Of course, all of these games are just the cherry on top of a very stacked cake, as Xbox s have so much more to look forward to across the years. From exciting new indies to surprise triple-A releases and cross-platform games, there will be more than enough games for people to pack into their already jam-packed backlogs. Xbox Series X/S s should start boarding the hype train for these games, as 2025 is looking ready to be one of the best years in gaming history.

Source: Xbox/YouTube (1), (2)