Microsoft’s powerful duo of consoles feature a ton of awesome game selections. The console exclusives and 3rd-party titles that graced these consoles in 2014 covered a bunch of genres, so there was something for everyone to play. Since Christmas 2014 is finally here, there’s gonna be a bunch of gamers you’ll need to go shopping for. We cover 10 of the finest combined Xbox One and Xbox 360 games that you’ll need to purchase immediately. There’s shooters, racers, RPG’s and more to waste countless hours on this Holiday season!
1. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Halo’s Master Chief is one of gaming’s most prolific heroes. Since his introduction to the original Xbox up until his 4th main entry on the Xbox 360, Master Chief has stomped out the Covenant and any other evil alien races. The Xbox One has been granted an full-fledged HD collection that celebrate the FPS legacy of this long-running series. You’ll dump so many hours into playing the main campaigns of Halo 1 through 4, plus you’ll also enjoy the huge array of online multiplayer options.
Buy Halo: The Master Chief Collection here.
2. Sunset Overdrive
Insomniac Games took their talents on over to Microsoft and came away with this zany 3rd-person, open-world shooter. Sunset Overdrive gives you an open playground that has been ravaged by rampaging creatures that had one too many contaminated energy drinks. You’ll shoot records like a machine gun, glide across power lines, fly through the sky and even smash groups of monsters with bats and guitars. You’re gonna love every bit of this bugged out shooter!
3. Forza Horizon 2
We’re kinda cool with the simulation-minded games in the Forza series, but we have way more fun driving all over a beautiful landscape in the Horizon games. Forza Horizon 2 gives players a bunch of cars and challenges to complete during that “man we wish it was real” Horizon Festival. You’ll drive in an even wider list of locations within Provence, Tuscany and Côte d’Azur. This open-road tour is awesome.
4. Dragon Age: Inquisition
The world of Thedas needs your aid. Your custom hero is placed in the position of leading the Inquisition during this new Dragon Age installment. This new entry is full of the expansive gameplay seen in series past. There’s wide lands to explore, massive dragons to fight, warriors to recruit, several quests to endure and so much more to get into. Dragon Age: Inquisition is a game that needs your full, undivided attention on Christmas morning.
Buy Dragon Age: Inquisition here.
5. Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor
Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor has to be one of the best surprises of 2014. Cutting off orc heads, sneaking around enemy bases and saving the human slaves you run into are just a few of the fun things this game throw at you. The power of Talion is fully explored in this darker representation of Middle-Earth, so you’ll have a ball taking down Sauron’s powerful army. This open-world adventure gives Lord of the Rings fans a truly excellent video game…finally!
Buy Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor here.
6. Dark Souls 2
Man…this game kicked our ass allllllll year! Buy we gotta admit that we had way too much fun dying over and over in Dark Souls 2. And now with all the extra DLC added to the game, this sequel’s dangerous world is even more threatening to explore. This is the type of game that only the most hardcore gamers deserve under their Christmas tree. Don’t be surprised to see them sitting in front of the TV enthralled with the mysterious dungeons present in this action RPG. You may wanna get them the strategy guide, too…
7. Grand Theft Auto 5
Sure, the Xbox 360 version is certainly available for past-gen console owners. But the current-gen, Xbox One edition is the definitive version to play. Grand Theft Auto 5 becomes even larger and daunting to experience this time around. There’s a ton of new features to enjoy here – retooled visuals, a 1st-person camera mode, streets full of more people/vehicles and new online multiplayer mechanics. Rockstar Games has managed to GTA 5 even more incredible.
8. The Evil Within
This game totally belongs in October. But for those who missed this horrifying game, you need to remedy that problem for them and cop them this survival horror release. The Evil Within truly tests the patience and willpower of gamers by throwing them into super scary situations. The creature designs here are nightmare inducing, the gunplay adopts the excellent 3rd-person mechanics of Resident Evil 4 and the story is soooooooo of-kilter. All these elements combine to make The Evil Within a horror title you can’t pass up.
9. Wolfenstein: The New Order
This dark horse contender for FPS of the Year should not be slept on any longer. MachineGames has revived the Father of 1st-Person Shooters and given fans a shockingly great game. Wolfenstein: The New Order brings back B.J. Blazkowicz for some good ol’ fashioned Nazi killing. The plot here is played out here to be way more involving than series past and you’ll find yourself caring about some of the characters who meet their unfortunate end. This shooter is retro yet still modern all at the same time.
Buy Wolfenstein: The New Order here.
10. Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition
Diablo 3 just feels a lot better with the a gamepad in your hand. It feels especially great to mash out attacks with an Xbox 360 or Xbox One controller in your hand. The Ultimate Evil Edition is the package you need to buy for hardcore Diablo fanatics. You’ll have access to the main story campaign and the additional “Reaper of Souls” DLC storyline. There’s so much to see, collect and kill here so make sure your buds are online for some monster mashing.
Buy Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition here.
We’re gonna go ahead and add an awesome fighting game for the Xbox 360 to this list. Why? Just cause we can:
– Persona 4 Arena Ultimax – Buy it here.
