Single player games can offer some of the most captivating, immersive gaming experiences.
Imagine a movie, but one where you get to be the main character. A good story mixed with a rewarding progression system is enough to get most fans of single player games salivating.
Luckily, a lot of developers still focus on the single-player aspect of their games. Some rely on narrative, others on gameplay, and some focus on creating as much replay value as possible.
We’ve sifted through the massive number of games currently available for Xbox and rounded up those with the best offline experience.
Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are the 29 best single-player campaign games on Xbox Series X|S.
Halo Infinite
| Genre | Action, FPS, sci-fi, open world |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | Main storyline takes about 11-12 hours to complete and a completionist run can take just under 30 hours |
| Developer | 343 Industries |
| Release date | 8th December 2021 |
| Co-op | Cross-platform, online and local, up to 4 players supported |
Halo Infinite is the return to form for the series that has become synonymous with the Xbox.
While there is an extremely engaging multiplayer option in the game, the single-player campaign is also something worth trying out.
The campaign once again puts the player in the role of Master Chief. However, this time there is an open world to explore. This presents a completely different solo experience for Halo fans.
Halo Infinite has an excellent storyline, although it can seem a bit disjointed due to the open world. Still, it is a massive improvement over the previous two entries in the franchise, and definitely an authentic Halo experience.
Gears 5
| Genre | Action-adventure, open world, shooter |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main campaign takes around 11 hours to beat and a 100% completionist run takes just under 20 hours to finish |
| Developer | The Coalition |
| Release date | 9th September 2019 |
| Co-op | Cross-platform and cross-generation, local and online, up to 10 players depending on the selected game mode |
Gears, formally known as Gears of War, is another series that has seen a return to form with Gears 5. In fact, the primary complaint that people had with the previous entry in the franchise was the fact that, while the multiplayer was great, the single-player experience was lacking.
Gears 5 solves this by taking an open-world approach, just like Halo Infinite.
However, the developers have also developed the characters from the previous franchise to make the storyline more compelling.
While the gameplay is largely the same, a few quality of life improvements have been made.
Gears has always been one of the best single player games on Xbox throughout the franchise’s history and nothing has changed when it comes to the Series X & S.
Cuphead
| Genre | Run-and-gun, platformer, bullet hell, action |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main campaign takes just under 11 hours to finish and a completionist run can take you roughly 26 hours to complete |
| Developer | Studio MDHR |
| Release date | 29th September 2017 |
| Co-op | Local, 2 players supported |
Cuphead is a game that has been on Xbox for a long time. However, it is still one of the most fun, exciting, and frustratingly difficult games that you can play.
Players move from one boss to the other and try to beat them with a limited number of lives. Beating Cuphead requires quick reactions, brains, and anticipation.
Every visual detail in Cuphead is hand-drawn, which creates a truly unique atmosphere. It’s a killer game, but the effort is undoubtedly worth it.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
| Genre | Action-adventure, open world, RPG, Viking |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes just over 60 hours to finish and a completionist run through takes close to 150 hours to finish |
| Developer | Ubisoft Montreal |
| Release date | November 10th 2020 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has you take control of a Viking named Eivor.
With gorgeous scenes of ancient Europe on display, players get to take part in a traditional AC experience, with a twist.
As a Viking, players have the opportunity to build settlements and upgrade them. Players can also raid monasteries and build ships, just like the Vikings could hundreds of years ago.
Overall, you should expect a proper Assassin’s Creed experience, one that Xbox Series X owners can run in 4K at 60 FPS with ease.
Forza Horizon 5
| Genre | Racing, open world, simulation, adventure |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign is about 20 hours long but a full completionist run can take you over the 100 hour mark |
| Developer | Playground Games |
| Release date | 9th November 2021 |
| Co-op | Online, up to 12 players depending on game mode |
Forza Horizon 5 is arguably one of the best racing games to ever grace the Xbox Series X|S and it’s one of the best single player games, too.
The game has a vast, open world campaign that almost never seems to end.
Even once players have played through all of the major events, there are a lot of races that they can still take part in.
The gameplay is as smooth as you would expect from a Forza title, with an arcade racing experience and some simulation components mixed in.
However, the graphics are what take this game up a notch. They’re incredible.
If you’re looking for a campaign-focused game for Xbox with a twist, this may be one of the most breathtaking games that you’ll ever play.
Wasteland 3
| Genre | CRPG, strategy, turn-based |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main campaign takes about 37 hours to finish and a full, completionist run can take roughly 75-76 hours to complete |
| Developer | inExile Entertainment, Inc. |
| Release date | 28th August 2020 |
| Co-op | Online, 2 players supported |
Wasteland 3 is the ideal game for someone looking to play a post-apocalyptic game that isn’t all about zombies and survival horror.
It thrusts the player into the role of a member of an elite task force that has to maintain order in the United States.
With expansive character customization, Wasteland 3 is the ideal game for players looking for an RPG set in modern times. The best part about the game is the controls, as they feel both smooth and responsive.
Wasteland 3 does not try to convince players to utilize a specific playstyle. As such, it provides endless hours of fun for single player, CRPG enthusiasts, no matter what their preferences might be.
The Outer Worlds
| Genre | Sci-fi, action-adventure, RPG |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main story takes roughly 13 hours to finish and a 100% completionist run will take you just over 40 hours to complete |
| Developer | Obsidian Entertainment, Inc. |
| Release date | 25th October 2019 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Speaking of RPGs, The Outer Worlds is another game that allows for massive character customization.
However, it also has a really suspenseful storyline with deep characters that make for a fantastic playthrough.
While the length of the game is shorter than your average RPG (around 13 hours for the main campaign), players will find the game to be a completely immersive experience, full of new things to try at almost every turn.
Grand Theft Auto 5
| Genre | Open world, action, crime, shooter, racing |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main story will take you just over 32 hours to finish and a completionist playthrough will take you around 85 hours to finish |
| Developer | Rockstar Games |
| Release date | 17th September 2013 |
| Co-op | Online, up to 30 players depending on version and game mode |
While GTA 5 has become known for its multiplayer mode in recent years, that doesn’t mean that its single-player campaign isn’t worth playing.
There isn’t much to explain when it comes to GTA games. You cheat, steal, and do much worse while working through the story, and end up either winning or getting wasted.
The main campaign of GTA 5 is a lot of fun and should allow players to spend a considerable amount of time completing all the missions.
Since it is a GTA game, there are also numerous side missions that players can tackle either when completing the game, or after it. It’s a must-play for open world game fans.
Red Dead Redemption 2
| Genre | Open world, Western, story-rich, RPG, shooter |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main campaign takes around 50 hours to complete and completing the game entirely takes around 180-190 hours |
| Developer | Rockstar Games |
| Release date | 26th October 2018 |
| Co-op | Online, up to 32 players supported |
While RDR 2 and GTA 5 come from the same developers, the two are very different.
GTA 5 tends to focus more on gameplay and giving the player as much freedom as possible, RDR 2 tends to focus a little more on the story, and by God, is it a good story.
The campaign takes roughly 50 hours to complete. While this is great in terms of playtime, it also means that players will be teetering on the edge of their seats waiting for the next twist in the epic tale.
Just like GTA 5, RDR 2 also has a lot of side missions and playable content apart from the single-player campaign that players can go through.
Of course, you can also just jump into the multiplayer mode once you’re done with the story.
Stardew Valley
| Genre | Casual, farming, simulation, relaxing, strategy |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main campaign takes around 50-52 hours to finish and completing the game entirely can take well over 160 hours |
| Developer | ConcernedApe |
| Release date | 14th December 2016 |
| Co-op | Online, up to 4 players supported |
Stardew Valley is an indie gem with an incredibly loyal fanbase- and it’s easy to see why.
Using a simple top-down view, the game places you in the role of a person who has recently inherited their grandfather’s farm.
Farming just serves as a backdrop in this game.
What makes Stardew Valley so rewarding and enjoyable to play is the story, the characters, and the consistent sense of progression.
On a side note, Stardew Valley is also cheaper than other games on this list. In fact, it may be one of the best bargains in the Xbox store.
Elden Ring
| Genre | Souls-like, action-adventure, RPG, dark fantasy, open world |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main story takes 55 hours or so to complete, and a completionist run will take anywhere from 140-150 hours to finish |
| Developer | FromSoftware, Inc. |
| Release date | 25th February 2022 |
| Co-op | Cross-generation, online, up to 6 players supported depending on game mode |
Elden Ring is an open world, Souls-like game that prides itself on its extreme difficulty.
Players take on various monsters and enemies and try to beat them. Believe us when we say that it is quite difficult to even take down a single boss in this game.
Elden Ring is not for the faint of heart.
What makes the game so compelling (and perhaps one of the best single player games on the Xbox Series X and S) is the open world structure.
Players have a lot of control over how they tackle the most difficult opponents in the game and the story is far from linear.
As such, Elden Ring ends up being one of the most versatile, challenging and epic campaign games on the Xbox Series X|S. It’s a must-play.
Dying Light 2: Stay Human
| Genre | Open world, action-adventure, parkour, survival horror |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main story takes just over 24 hours to finish and a full completionist run takes around 100 hours to complete |
| Developer | Techland |
| Release date | 4th February 2022 |
| Co-op | Online, up to 4 players supported |
The sequel to the highly-acclaimed Dying Light improves on the original in almost every way.
The concept is still almost exactly the same (fight off the zombies and stay alive), but the tools at your disposal are much more advanced,
Players have the entire city at their disposal in Dying Light 2, and the choices they make impact how they fare later in the game.
The storyline also plays a much more pivotal role in the second game, so you may find that there is a lot more keeping you entertained than just the thrill of killing all the zombies.
All of this is backed by gorgeous graphics and fluid gameplay that keeps you on your toes throughout the game. As far as zombie-killing games go, this may be one of the best yet.
Control
| Genre | Story-rich, supernatural, action-adventure, sci-fi, horror |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main story takes just under 13 hours to beat and a full, 100% completionist run will take you just over 40 hours to complete |
| Developer | Remedy Entertainment Plc. |
| Release date | 26th August 2019 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
The next game on our list of the best Xbox single player games is Control.
Control combines third-person shooting with solving puzzles and a solid narrative. Players take control of Jesse Faden, who is trying to find her brother but needs to go through the Federal Bureau of Control.
The FBC deals with surreal events, and the game is full of them.
You will have access to supernatural abilities and an interactive environment as you progress through the game. While the campaign is not too long, at around 13 hours of playtime, it is definitely worth checking out.
Dishonored 2
| Genre | Stealth, steampunk, supernatural, action, open world |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main story takes around 13 hours to complete and a 100% completionist run will take you roughly 46 hours to finish up |
| Developer | Arkane Studios |
| Release date | 11th November 2016 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Even though the second iteration of the Dishonored series came out all the way back in 2016, it has held up surprisingly well. The graphics look reasonably presentable, and the game runs at 4K on the Xbox Series X.
More importantly, the gameplay is exquisite and improves on the first entry in every sense. It combines all-out action with stealth and puzzle-solving elements to create an experience that is very unique.
The only point of note is that the story is a continuation of the first game. As such, you may enjoy it a lot more if you’ve already played the original Dishonored.
Resident Evil Village
| Genre | Survival horror, story-rich, action |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main story takes just under 10 hours to finish and a full completionist run will take you around 37-38 hours to complete |
| Developer | CAPCOM CO., LTD. |
| Release date | 7th May 2021 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Resident Evil Village stands out as one of the most impressive RE games in history.
The franchise has always handled combining horror with adventure well. The game begins a new storyline in the franchise, so this is an ideal place to jump into the series.
That being said, it is still based on the ending of the previous entry in the series (Resident Evil 7: Biohazard), so experienced players will still feel right at home.
Resident Evil Village looks absolutely fantastic on the Xbox Series X|S. It is difficult to find another game in the genre with as much polish, which is why Resident Evil Village is the best solo survival-horror game on the Xbox.
Hitman 3
| Genre | Stealth, sandbox, action, shooter |
| Buy from | Amazon, the game is also included in a bundle on the Xbox store |
| Length | The main story is about 8 hours long and a full, 100% completionist run takes about 48-50 hours to finish up |
| Developer | IO Interactive A/S |
| Release date | 20th January 2022 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Hitman 3 is the ultimate assassin sandbox.
The third iteration in the series fixes all the small issues found in the previous two games. The end result? A masterpiece of a game where players have complete control over how they want to dispatch the target from the earth.
Players can also tinker with the difficulty. For example, they can turn off the hints to figure everything out on their own, or simply follow the directions to take out the target.
While the game does not offer much in the way of a storyline, it is still an extremely interesting experience and stands out from the other single player games on the Xbox.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
| Genre | Souls-like, action-adventure, open world, sci-fi |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main campaign takes around 17 hours to finish and a 100% completionist run will take you around 30 hours to complete |
| Developer | Respawn Entertainment |
| Release date | 15th November 2019 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Modern Star Wars games are somewhat hit or miss, but one game where the developers hit it out of the park is Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
The campaign in this game takes you on a journey to become a Jedi Knight and is equal parts combat and exploration.
The combat is extremely hard, especially if you turn the difficulty up. Killing even a single stormtrooper can sometimes feel like an impossible task.
The exploration, on the other hand, gives players downtime so that the entire game does not feel like a Michael Bay film.
Psychonauts 2
| Genre | Story-rich, platformer, adventure, puzzle |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main campaign takes around 15 hours to beat and entirely completing the game can take roughly 27-28 hours overall |
| Developer | Double Fine Productions |
| Release date | 25th August 2021 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
This is one of the best single player games on the Xbox Series X|S purely for the story alone. The mechanics and graphics are good, but the storyline and atmosphere are second to none.
Psychonauts 2 is a platformer that will capture your attention from the very beginning and refuse to let go until the end.
While the gameplay is decent but not groundbreaking, you will still be stuck to your chair right until the very end of the narrative. It’s an absolute must-play.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
| Genre | Metroidvania, action, platformer, story-rich, atmospheric |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main story takes just under 12 hours to finish and a 100% completionist run takes roughly 18 hours to complete |
| Developer | Moon Studios |
| Release date | 11th March 2020 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a fantastic platformer that is a great pick for players looking for an introduction to the genre.
The game combines great visuals with a storyline that says a lot without using a lot of words.
The music plays an important part in the game too, as it perfectly matches each level.
One interesting feature of the game is that it is one of the few games that allow for a supersampled 6K resolution, allowing fidelity rarely seen on consoles.
The game is also completely offline, meaning that it has no features of the game that require an internet connection.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
| Genre | Souls-like, action, ninja, open world, story-rich |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main campaign takes around 30 hours to finish and a 100% completionist run will take you just over the 70 hour mark to complete |
| Developer | FromSoftware, Inc. |
| Release date | 22nd March 2019 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Sekiro is a game that scooped up a lot of awards when it first came out in 2019, and for good reason.
While the game is one of the many that tries to replicate the Dark Souls formula, it still manages to be a bit different. Instead of adding more features and increasing the scope of the game, it instead distills it down to its most basic form.
Your abilities will not change much throughout the game.
There is a solid narrative, but the combat is where Sekiro comes to life. The main aspect of the game is its difficulty, and you can be certain that you will fail many times and experience some extremely frustrating moments on your way to completing the game.
The Medium
| Genre | Adventure, psychological horror, story-rich, atmospheric |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes 8 hours to complete and a 100% completionist run will take you just over 10 hours to finish |
| Developer | Bloober Team |
| Release date | 28th January 2021 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
The Medium was the first proper exclusive for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, and it should come as no surprise to those that have played the game that it is a part of our list.
The Medium falls under the category of psychological horror, meaning that the scary parts are hardwired into the game and atmosphere as opposed to appearing as cheap jump scares.
The game takes part in split mode, meaning that your character will fluidly move between the normal world and the spirit world.
To add to that, there is also a puzzle element to the game, making it a great mix of genres that is both interesting and scary.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
| Genre | Tactical RPG, fantasy, turn-based strategy, story-rich |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store |
| Length | The main campaign takes around 58 hours to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you close to 160 hours to finish up |
| Developer | Larian Studios |
| Release date | 31st August 2018 |
| Co-op | Local and online, up to 4 players depending on game mode |
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a top-down RPG that is extremely strategic. It gives you a lot of options on how you tackle each level and progress through the game. It’s got a dedicated fanbase, and with very good reason.
Compared to the original Divinity game, Original Sin 2 keeps the combat systems largely the same but ramps up the storytelling.
In fact, it may very well be one of the most complete CRPG experiences of modern times.
The only problem is the game struggles to compete when it comes to graphics. While they do not look too dated, they do look like they are a generation behind. Still, it’s a must-play if you’re a fan of CRPG titles.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
| Genre | Fantasy, open world, story-rich, atmospheric, RPG |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes around 52 hours to finish and a 100% completionist run takes close to 160 hours to finish |
| Developer | CD PROJEKT RED |
| Release date | 19th May 2015 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
The Witcher 3 is still as amazing as when it first came out.
The only difference is that it has now been optimized for the Xbox Series X and S, which means better graphics and higher framerates.
There is a huge chance that people reading this list have already played Wild Hunt. However, it might be worth it to give the game another try in a higher definition.
As for the game itself, Witcher 3 is an open-world RPG that puts the player in the role of Geralt of Rivia. You move around hunting monsters and exploring the world.
Your ultimate goal is to find the child of prophecy, and let’s just say that the story that leads you there will keep you hooked until the very end.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
| Genre | JRPG, action-adventure, story-rich, open world, turn-based |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main story takes around 45 hours to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you just up to the 105 hour mark |
| Developer | Ryu Ga Gotuku Studio |
| Release date | 10th November 2020 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
If we could use one word to describe Yakuza: Like a Dragon, it would be ridiculous.
But in a good way, of course.
The combat system in the game is turn-based, and the shenanigans that the Yakuza games have become known for are exaggerated to the point of absurdity.
What this leads to is an extremely hilarious experience that can still be serious and dark when it needs to be. The game tries to deal with serious issues in a comedic manner, and does a great job of it.
The story is quite long, and there are numerous side missions that players can try out as well.
Like a Dragon manages to simultaneously feel like a completely new take on the Yakuza experience and a classic Yakuza game. As such, it is a great game for both diehard fans of the franchise and those looking to try it for the first time.
Hades
| Genre | Hack-and-slash, roguelite, RPG, story-rich |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign will take you just over 23 hours to finish and a full, 100% completionist run will take you up to the 100 hour mark |
| Developer | Supergiant Games |
| Release date | 13th August 2021 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
Hades is quite an unusual game.
It is a dungeon crawler where you must try to escape the underworld from the god of death (and your father) Hades.
Each escape attempt is unique and may present unique challenges as well as bonuses.
Each attempt also makes you stronger, thereby allowing you to experience more of the story as the time passes by. With virtually unlimited replayability, Hades is a single player experience that has the potential to keep you hooked for hundreds of hours.
Hades also has a very broad difficulty curve. Even if you find the game to be difficult, each attempt at escaping the Underworld will make the next one slightly easier. Of course, you can simply increase the difficulty if you find the game to be monotonous.
SCARLET NEXUS
| Genre | Action-adventure, JRPG, anime, sci-fi |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes roughly 23-24 hours and a completionist run will take you just over the 63 hour mark |
| Developer | BANDAI NAMCO Studios Inc. |
| Release date | 24th June 2021 |
| Co-op | No, single player only |
SCARLET NEXUS is a JRPG in the classical sense.
The game is a classic humans vs. everyone else experience, with players being given the task of preserving humanity in the face of mutants known as ‘the Others’.
The story is split between two protagonists, but really isn’t something to write home about.
What makes SCARLET NEXUS a great game is its extremely complex combat system. Players can spend hours upgrading their skills to learn new ways to fight off the enemies, and the storyline is long enough to provide many hours of gameplay.
Devil May Cry 5
| Genre | Action, hack-and-slash, demonic, story-rich |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main story takes close to 12 hours to complete and a full 100% run will take you just over the 65 hour mark |
| Developer | CAPCOM., LTD. |
| Release date | 19th November 2020 |
| Co-op | Online, up to 3 players supported |
This is another game that is saved by its combat. While the storyline is not bad, most people who play this game will do so for the fluid combat mechanics.
The fast-paced and action-packed adventure sees two returning protagonists from the previous series and a new character by the name of V.
What makes DMC 5 more fun than many of the other fighting-based games on this list is that every character is completely unique. As such, players can spend hours fiddling around with their move sets and learning how to maximize their damage output.
FIFA
| Genre | Soccer, sports, simulation |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes close to 70 hours to finish entirely |
| Developer | EA Canada |
| Release date | 30th September 2022 |
| Co-op | Local and online, up to 22 players supported depending on game mode |
FIFA is arguably the greatest soccer franchise the world has seen.
If you are someone who loves football but does not enjoy Ultimate Team, the career mode can keep you entertained for literally thousands of hours.
Pick your favorite team and try to lead them to continental glory, or pick the smallest club you can find and aim to do the same.
Now, of course, this game is only worth checking out if you are someone already interested in soccer. Fans of the sport will find checking out the most recent entry into the FIFA franchise to be incredibly rewarding.
F1 22
| Genre | Racing, simulation, sports |
| Buy from | The official Xbox store or Amazon |
| Length | The main campaign takes roughly 22 hours to complete and a completionist run will take you roughly 57 hours to finish |
| Developer | Codemasters |
| Release date | 1st July 2022 |
| Co-op | Cross-generation, local and online, up to 22 players depending on mode |
F1 is another sports game like FIFA, in that a new entry comes out every year.
That being said, F1 22 is by far one of the best iterations of the game in the franchise.
Not only is the gameplay more refined and a great sim-cade interpretation of driving an F1 car, but you now have more control over the development of your car in career mode than ever before.
Apart from the career mode, there is also a story mode known as Breaking Point. While it only offers a few hours of gameplay, it is a great addition to the game that provides something fresh to the player.
