After a stellar Xbox Developer Direct to kick off 2025, Microsoft's first-party studios are showing strong promise. The question on everyone's mind: which Xbox game series excites you the most? Whether it's the nostalgia of the Xbox 360 era or the anticipation of Xbox titles coming to other platforms like PlayStation, there's a lot to be excited about. With Microsoft's acquisitions of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, the pool of legendary series has grown even larger.
For this tier list, we're focusing on series with more than one entry, so iconic franchises like Doom, Forza Horizon, and Halo make the cut. Here's a look at my personal tier list, based on years of enjoyment and anticipation for future releases:
Doom easily secures an S-tier spot for me. The recent entries have been some of my favorite first-person shooters, and Doom: The Dark Ages looks promising. Forza Horizon also earns an S-tier ranking, offering some of the best racing experiences I've had, rivaled only by Burnout 3 and Burnout Revenge. Halo, despite its iconic status, sits in the A tier due to recent inconsistencies, though Halo 2 and 3 remain top-tier campaign shooters. I lean more towards Fallout than Elder Scrolls, valuing the power armor over dragons.
If you disagree with my rankings or believe Gears of War or Fuzion Frenzy deserve higher praise, why not create your own tier list? Compare your S, A, B, C, and D tiers with the IGN community and see how your preferences stack up.
Is there an Xbox series we've overlooked that you feel deserves recognition? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know why you've ranked the games the way you have.