Microsoft recently held their E3 press conference. And to kick things off, head of the Xbox Division, Phil Spencer, announced that Microsoft will continue to provide fans more exclusive experiences, services, and hardware. This was the revolving message throughout the entire conference.

Xbox One S and Cross-Play

Following this statement, he went on to announce the Xbox One S. The slimmer console will be sold at the same price as the current Xbox One model.

At the same time, Microsoft provided details with their new play anywhere feature. All future titles will have cross buy support for players. This will allow you to play a title interchangeably between PC and console anywhere. Current game saves and achievements will be available as well. The purchase of any Xbox One title going forward will allow you access to the PC version for free.

Reveal: Gears of War 4 Gameplay

The first major title to take stage was Gears of War 4. The new chapter of the franchise was introduced with a live co-op demo. It's set to release for October 11, 2016. An elite wireless controller for the game will be released in celebration as well.

Reveal: Forza Horizon 3

The next focus on the conference was Forza Horizon 3. The racing franchise's new entry had video showcasing new vehicles and the new Australian setting. This Forza installment includes a variety of off-road choices, like jungle terrain.

The game will feature campaign co-op for the first time. Friends will be able to join one another's sessions, and their games will sync to the other player's data, and so forth. Friends will be able to race together to achieve a goal. Forza Horizon 3 is on schedule to release September 27, 2016.

Reveal: Final Fantasy XV Live Demo

Final Fantasy XV followed afterwards, with a live demo that showed Noctis and friends fighting the mighty Titan. The battle showed off how the heroes fiend off the massive threat. During the fight, the enemy army makes an appearance to fight the heroes and the giant without discretion. During the madness, we see our Noctis use the confusion to his advantage to gain the upper hand and win. Final Fantasy XV will be releasing September 30, 2016.

Reveal: Battlefield 1 Gameplay

The next focus of the conference was Battlefield 1. EA's Battlefield is taking place in World War 1. The developer hopes to deliver a war experience unlike any other before with their latest title. Fans can look forward to it's released on October 21, 2016. The title will be available on October 13 to EA early access members.

Update: Minecraft Patch & Cross-Platform Play 

The press conference then changed its direction to the more causal audience as Minecraft took the stage. It was announced that players will be able to connect together regardless of their platform with the Friendly update. The new update will allow players to enter each other's worlds.

New texture packs were also announced, which will allow players to make their creations more realistic. More Minecraft content was teased too for later this year.

Reveal: Scalebound Multiplayer Gameplay

The hardcore theme returned as Scalebound was presented by Platinum Games. The developer went on to showcase the largest boss fight they've ever created with a live co-op demo. The protagonist begins his fight after being joined by a number of players and their respective dragons. Scalebound is set to release sometime in 2017.

Reveal: Halo Wars 2

The next title announced was Halo Wars 2, which is due for release on February 21, 2017. The sequel will be continuing the story immediately where the first title ended when it was released 7 years ago. A new ruthless general with a massive army appears to stand in opposition. A week long beta is available right now for the title.

Confirmation: Project Scorpio is a high-end console

At the end of presser Spencer took the stage to reaffirm their message of more exclusives, more hardware, and more innovation. This included new Xbox Live features and even customer controller colors that were displayed during the conference as well. Eventually, the conversation of hardware innovation became an announcement of Project Scorpio.

Scorpio is confirmed to be a high end gaming console and will be releasing holiday 2017. Further details will be revealed over time. Spencer also went on to assure Xbox fans that all Xbox One titles will be playable with Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Project Scorpio. No one will be left out.

What did you think of the Microsoft E3 event? What games and announcements excited you the most? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below.

Conclusion

Like few consoles before it, the Xbox 360 managed to redefine gaming to a growing generation of gamers. It did the unfathomable — the impossible. It managed to completely change the way games were meant to be played.

It wasn't just about the single player experience anymore. The Xbox 360 successfully connected us all to one another. It was the first console that really pioneered the multiplayer experience.

And with it came:

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• online achievements
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• virtual avatars
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• a direct messaging system
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• and an online store
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It's a sad day indeed, when one of the generation's most defining consoles comes to an end. But it was bound to happen eventually. The 360's legacy will live on in the future consoles that follow.

Rest in peace, Xbox 360. You'll be missed.

Halo 3

And now we come to the "must-have" out of all "must-haves." The epitome of everything Microsoft and Xbox 360. The game that we all know and love — Halo 3. 

The Halo series is arguably Microsoft's most successful video game series. And it makes sense. The setting is amazing, the story is rich, and Master Chief is a total-badass as usual. Halo 3 managed to capture everything we loved about the Halo series and condense it all into one game.

It looked great, it played amazing, and it was fun, both online and offline.

From its memorable multiplayer experiences to its interesting and rich single player storyline, Halo 3 continues to represent everything great the Xbox 360 had to offer. 

The beauty of Halo 3 is that we can all relate to it.

We all have that one game that just made a huge impact on our lives. And to some, Halo 3 is that game. 

Just looking at the picture brings back memories of the better times...

While I did enjoy the single-player experience, playing with online was the big selling point. I remember spending countless hours just messing around in custom lobbies -- connecting with friends and new people, all over some random game. Even now, when I've played more recent and more modern online games, none are able to capture the exact feel and uniqueness present in Halo 3.

Xbox Live servers are still up, and if anything, the multiplayer experience is reason enough to pick it up.

And if it isn't, rest assured that you'll be following Chief in one of the most compelling stories you've experience. It ties in some of the loose questions so perfectly. It's why it's the number one exclusive.

Forza Horizon 2

Imagine a life where you're not held back by money. You can buy whatever car you want, customize it, and take it out for a spin with your friends.

That's your life in Forza Horizon 2.

The game is just amazing in every single way.

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• First off, it's visually appealing. The graphics are nothing short of amazing. Every visual, every particle effect is just so crisp and nice. 
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• Second, the level of customization is insane. You're free to do whatever you want with your car. You want to keep it tuned to stock standards? Go ahead. Do you want to create a complete eye-sore? Be my guest.
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• Third, it's open world. You can take your car from one end of the map to the next, or you can spawn directly onto key locations on the map. The map is, quite literally, your playground.
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I'm not a fan of the car, but the graphics are something else.

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• Fourth and lastly, you can cruise alongside friends. It takes racing to a new level. It's all fun and games when you're racing on the track, but things get a bit more personal — and intense — when you hand-build the car yourself. 
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I spent my days grinding away on Trackmania and Need for Speed. I thought Burnout Paradise was the ultimate open-world car game, but I was wrong. I have since accepted Forza Horizon 2 as my lord and savior, the ultimate car game that is second to none. Thank you Turn 10 Studios.

Thank you.

Gears of War 3

Now we've come to the "big boy" exclusives. First up comes a game that needs no introduction, a game centered around humanity's last struggle against a horde of mutant humanoid creatures -- Gears of War 3.

Met with critical acclaim upon release, Gears of War 3 successfully wraps up one of the Xbox 360's most recognized series. The game itself brings immersive action and stunning visuals. Seriously, the game looks amazing.

Most games can learn a thing or two from these armor sets.

And one of the most defining elements was its multiplayer. While not as huge as another noteworthy Xbox exclusive, the game's multiplayer experience was indeed fun. I remember the first time I found a Boomshot. I never put the game down after that.

It's stunning graphics, immersive combat, and fun multiplayer make this one of the top exclusive titles.

Fable 2

Fable 2 is an action role-playing game developed by Lionhead Studios. Players will take control of the Hero of Bowerstone, set on a journey to prevent an evil lord from controlling the Spire. 

First things first — which one is better, Fable or Fable 2? It's an age-old debate, and I'm going to end it today.

Fable 2 is better, and here's why it's a must-have exclusive:

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• a lot more content than the previous game. Fable 1 did not have as much content as this one did. 
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• a better story-line. Fable 1's story was very basic and linear. If you wanted a more compelling narrative with interesting character, Fable 2 is the game you should get. 
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• better graphics. The visuals are stunning in Fable 2. While I'm a strong advocate against using graphics as a sole reason to buy a game, you can't argue with a comparison shot.
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• challenging. If you're more interested in challenging combat, the second one is for you.
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Would you look at that? It's gorgeous.

Fable 2 is a game that every proud Xbox owner should have in their collection. The game will take you on a cute and whimsical storyline — the likes of which you've never seen before.

Tales of Vesperia

Japanese RPGs are some of the greatest games you'll ever play. The music, the gameplay, and the story-line — all of these characteristics are typical of a well-developed JRPG, and make western games pale in comparison. 

Tales of Vesperia is one of the games that has it all.

Developed by Namco Tales Studio, Tales of Vesperia features:

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• an extremely memorable soundtrack.
  
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• a refreshing combat system.
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• and one of the best stories that I've ever experienced.
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The combat is very dynamic. You're not just staying in one place the whole time.

One of the hardest parts about playing a Japanese RPGs is the appeal. Sometimes, it just doesn't appeal to gamers. Luckily, Tales of Vesperia does it's best to appeal to the western market. It is the first game of the series to offer complete dialogue in English, and feature elements of western RPGs. 

It's one of the games every Xbox 360 owner should buy. You won't regret it.

Halo Wars

Because it was completely different from the series' previous installments, the announcement of Halo Wars initially worried some people. Traditionally, it would be a bit weird to find a real-time strategy game on a console. The genre just doesn't work out like it does on a PC. Surprisingly, Halo Wars did.

I'd go as far as to say that Halo Wars is the best RTS game available for a console.

Now, that's an angle I know you haven't seen before.

Ensemble Studios succeeded in creating a game that "felt at home on the console." Halo Wars had solid gameplay, responsive controls, and an entertaining story-line. The game even brings its very own, epic Halo soundtrack.

It's both visually appealing and immersive, and it paints the Halo Universe in a way that we haven't seen it before. All in all, a solid choice.

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2

It's funny. Geometry Wars was originally developed as a small project to test out the 360's controller, and now, it turned out to be one of the most addicting games available.

The core concept is simple. Players control space ships and are tasked with avoiding violent polygons hurling towards them. They use the left analog stick to move, and the right to shoot. The goal is to survive for as long as you possibly can.

However, it's not the concept that makes this game stand apart from others, it's how polished it is. Geometry Wars was a decent title, but Bizarre Creations improved all the right areas in Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2.

Take that you filthy abhorrent shapes!

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• The movement and controls felt so fluid. It just felt "right" in your hands.
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• The camera followed you around perfectly. For a game that's so fast-paced and intense, camera placement is crucial.
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• The development team included a whole array of game modes. This is for players, like me, who ever got bored of the standard game mode. There was a whopping selection to choose from.
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Currently, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 holds the title as "The Best Xbox Live Arcade Game," and while I'm not going to argue with that, I think a better — and more fitting title — would be, the "Best Stress Reliever."

Viva Piñata

Do not be fooled by its childish visuals. Though it initially looks like it caters specifically to kids, Viva Piñata can be a great and memorable experience if you're willing to give it a try.

The game starts with you constructing a farm on an island. As you develop and improve your farm, you soon find the island's fluffy inhabitants flocking to you. The goal of the game is simple: collect as many pinatas as you can. 

Essentially, it's Neko Atsume: Cat Collector on steroids.

One of the best things about this game is the gameplay. It's not an ordinary simulator. You have to cater and watch over the piñatas who come to your farm. They can fight, they can get angry, and some piñatas are so dang picky that obtaining them is near impossible. 

And the best part about it?

There are over 70 unique piñatas to discover. Their uniqueness and individuality is so refreshing that it's incredibly satisfying when you do discover one. People of all ages can enjoy collecting them.

A great person once said, "It's so fluffy, I just might die."

Viva Piñata stands as one of those, "hit or miss" type of games. Some will enjoy it, some won't. But it's worth picking up if you ever get the chance. You may be kidding yourself from a great experience otherwise.

Castle Crashers

What's a game driven only by the primal desire to hack and slash your way through enemies? A game void of meaningful content and dialogue, but filled to the brim with action-packed adventures and comical sword-play?

Well, the most appropriate answer to that question would be Castle Crashers.

It's nothing short of the ultimate "beat 'em up."

Created by Dan Paladin and Tom Fulp, Castle Crashers closely resembles a modernized 2D arcade game.

If you're looking for a game to kill some time, look no further than this.

The environment isn't the only thing visually appealing, look at that monster!

There's no dialogue, and there's barely even a story. Yet still, the action is enough to keep your attention for a good while. Mindless killing alongside friends and family? Come on, what's not to love about that?

Jade Empire

When you ask someone to name a game made by BioWare, they'll typically jump out and recite one of the usual big three: Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect, or Dragon Age. Very few will mention titles like Neverwinter Nights or Baldur's Gate, and even fewer are familiar with Jade Empire — a game that I feel deserves more recognition than it was given.

Released in 2005, Jade Empire is a role-playing game that offers players a glimpse into the eastern world. The game itself takes place in ancient China, and it features:

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• a compelling narrative.
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• an interesting and memorable cast of companions.
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• and a fun, albeit clunky, combat system.
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For its time, the game has aged pretty well.

If you're a fan of role-playing games,  it's worth going back and giving Jade Empire a shot. Just don't set your expectations too high. In the end,  it still has its flaws. Regardless, I consider it a classic RPG, definitely worthy enough to stand alongside BioWare's other great works.

Today is a huge moment for all of us.

Microsoft just announced their plans to retire the Xbox 360. As of now, support for Xbox Live services and servers will continue, but the production of additional console units will come to a permanent stop.

It's a bit sad. Last November marked the console's ten year anniversary, and since it was released, it has had a huge impact on gamers everywhere. As a tribute to the console's long and enduring legacy, I have compiled a list of the top Xbox exclusives that I have personally enjoyed. The list will be composed of some of the best games the console has to offer.

So, if you're looking to pick up an Xbox 360 while supplies last, consider the following titles your "top priority" to play on it. 

If you have yet to get your hands on Microsoft’s newest console, Labor Day Weekend might be the time to do it. While the Xbox One has come bundled with Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed: Unity for a while now, the bundles will be expanded until September 7th. An Xbox One will include Assassin’s Creed: Unity, as well as any one of the games below, the choice of which is up to you.

• Lego Jurassic World
• Rory McIlroy PGA Tour
• Minecraft
• Batman Arkham Knight 
• Rare Replay
• NBA 2K15
• Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
• Destiny
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• The Elder Scrolls: Online
• Forza Horizon 2
• Far Cry 4
• Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
• Payday 2: Crimewave Edition

In addition, two bundles will give you a third game. The Madden 16 Bundle comes with Madden 16, AC: Unity, and one of the games above, as well as a year of EA access. The Halo: The Master Chief Collection Bundle includes Halo: The Master Chief Collection, AC: Unity, and one of the games above. You can also get AC: Unity and Black Flag, as well as one of the free games. 

The standard bundle is available for as low as $349.99, while the Madden and Halo bundles will be $399.99.

And there you have it, the highest-rated Xbox One games on the market. From Ori and the Blind Forest to Titanfall, and everything in between, the Xbox One is clearly a pretty great place to play games with something for everyone.

It will be very interesting to see if this list changes any in the coming months, what with Halo 5: Guardians, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Forza Motorsport 6, and Fable Legends, not to mention third-party games like Fallout 4, Star Wars: Battlefront, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, and Mad Max, all coming out before Christmas. This list could look very different in a year's time and lets hope it does!

What games were you expecting to see? Surprised Sunset Overdrive or Dead Rising 3 didn't make the list? Think a game was rated too highly? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. And until next time, keep it here on GameSkinny!

1. The Witcher 3 - 91%

And no surprise here, we have CD Projeckt Red's RPG masterpiece, The Witcher 3. We also recently published The 15 Highest Rated PS4 Games, and The Witcher 3 was also atop that list. So it's fairly undeniable that Geralt's final journey is the best game on current-gen platforms.

With a gigantic open world that demands to be explored in the greatest depth, a myriad of side-quests that are as long and interesting as many games' whole stories, a fantastic cast of characters to meet along the way, graphics that have to be seen to be believed, and a great story to cap off the trilogy, The Witcher 3 is quite possibly the best RPG ever made.

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"The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a thoughtful, diverse, and frequently awe-inspiring adventure. Its stories are deep and satisfying, unafraid to touch on themes of personal character, presenting players with choices and consequences that aren’t about turning into a hero or a villain. In the end, it’s quite simply one of the best RPGs ever made."

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 - Game Trailers

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2. Fifa 14 - 88%

The second entry in the Fifa series to make it on to this list, but rather surprisingly it is the older, 2014 edition that sneaks into 2nd place. Even though Fifa games supposedly get better with each iteration, a belief I too have held, critics disagreed and rank the Xbox One debut game as the best out there.

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"A great demonstration of how to craft a new console launch game, leveraging the machine's strengths with a new engine capable not only of giving the game a renewed look but improved gameplay as well."

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 - MondoXbox

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3. Ori and the Blind Forest - 88%

And here we have the second, and last, Xbox One exclusive on the list. Ori and the Blind Forest is emotional story-telling at its absolute finest and a truly awe-inspiring, albeit challenging, journey through a beautifil world.

Ori and the Blind Forest is a MetroidVania game with RPG elements, not so dissimilar to Child of Light, but it is also a deceptively tricky platformer underneath a charming and very pretty art-style. As its debut game, you can expect Moon Studios to be a major player for Xbox One going forward.

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"A terrific blend of story, gameplay, and graphics, Ori and the Blind Forest is an unforgettable debut for indie developer Moon Studios." 

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- EGM

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4. Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor - 87%

Undoubtedly one of the surprise hits of last year, Shadow of Mordor was an excellent game with innovative features, not to mention thousands of Orcs to kill.

With a great open-world and the awesome Nemesis system, which creates rivalries between you and Orcs as well as a genuine power struggle, Shadow of Mordor wasn't the simple Lord of the Rings spin-off everyone expected. The gameplay was a mix of Batman and Assassin's Creed, the world was fittingly barren and bleak, the story simple but effective. The overall package was something special. A sequel is guaranteed!

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"With a brilliant blend of silky smooth yet brutal combat and some memorable stealth sequences, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor offers up some of the best open world combat we have seen in quite some time."   - Canadian Online Gamers

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5. Shovel Knight - 86%

If you enjoy old-school side scrolling games like Mega Man, CastleVania, Duck Tales, etc., then you will love Shovel Knight. As much of a love letter as any game can be, Shovel Knight is a fantastic throwback to games of yore, while adding a modern sheen to the look, mechanics, and level design.

And hey, Shovel Knight is the closest thing to a Battletoads sequel we've gotten!

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"One of the best retro homages of recent years, that cleverly combines the best elements of older 2D games with plenty of new ideas of its own."  - Metro GameCentral

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6. Forza Horizon 2 - 86%

Playground Games have worked year after year to make the Forza series a worthy competitor to Gran Turismo. Even though the two series have markedly different styles, one being arcadey and the other a sim, Forza has definitely become the top racing game on the market.

Yearly installments allow the developer to make the series better with every iteration, while dominating public mindshare. But it isn't just consistency that makes Forza great, it's the graphics and the gameplay. Forza Horizon 2 exemplifies this with its open-world gameplay, dynamic weather, day and night cycles, and a huge range of cars to choose from.

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"An amazing example of online and offline racing built around an engaging, satisfying handling model with the looks to match. Very, very nearly worth buying an Xbox One for alone."  - GameStyle

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7. Mortal Kombat X - 86%

NetherRealm Studios' ultra-violent fighting game made a resounding debut on Xbox One. Mortal Kombat X was every bit as gross, competitive, and fun as we hoped it would be.

After a few failed experiments from the PS2 generation, NetherRealm has really found what makes Mortal Kombat great and are doing it with the utmost style. Embracing the ridiculousness of the series and continually tweaking the gameplay has made Mortal Kombat X one of the best fighting games in recent memory, and the best on Xbox One.

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"Its technically precise gameplay, lean storyline and gruesomely gorgeous graphics run circles around the previous entries in the series."   - We Got This Covered

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8. Titanfall - 86%

As one of only two Xbox One exclusives on this list, Titanfall stands high as the consoles highest rated AAA game to date! It may surprise you, considering few talk about the game anymore, but Titanfall was incredibly well-received when it was released.

Titanfall is an incredibly tight FPS multiplayer game that lets you play as wall-running soldiers, or huge mechanical Titans. It's easy to forget how hotly-anticipated it was, but Titanfall was a very big deal that just failed to keep an active player base. Despite this it is still a great game that set a solid foundation for future installments.

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"Titanfall is a ridiculous amount of fun. Maybe it’ll be surpassed, but right now it’s the best game on Xbox One and one of the best multiplayer shooters ever."  - Xbox One Magazine UK

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9. NBA 2K14 - 86%

Despite there having been two installments in the series since 2K's NBA franchise debuted on Xbox One, it's 14 that received the best scores. The graphics alone wowed everyone when it debuted on next-gen consoles. I mean, just look at the court!

But on top of the insane graphics, 2K implemented a fun career mode that featured cutscenes and post-match interviews, making you feel more like a true pro-baller than ever before.

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"Visually the game is stunning, and at times can be mistaken for an actual game of basketball. The gameplay is as solid as ever and is great fun, whilst still being a first class simulation of the sport."

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- God is a Geek

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10. Dragon Age: Inquisition - 85%

Rising from the ashes of a series that seemed doomed to be abandoned, Inquisition became the amazing RPG we always wanted from the Dragon Age series. With a huge, sprawling world that changes as you play, fantastically detailed graphics, and a great cast of characters, Inquisition became the benchmarks for RPG games on Xbox One.

One really impressive aspect of this game is the way in which it continues to surprise you and fill you with awe. Despite being over a hundred hours long, Inquisition is constantly throwing new challenges your way and making you change your style of playing, as well as your views. It reinvigorated a series and now stands in an echelon occupied by few other games.

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"There’s no hyperbole when I say that Dragon Age: Inquisition is the best RPG I’ve played in a long time. Hell, it’s the best game of any genre I’ve played in a long time."

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                                 - NZ Gamer

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11. Batman: Arkham Knight - 85%

Despite being the most divisive Batman game from Rocksteady Studios, Arkham Knight is still a shining testament to world-building, characters, graphics and core gameplay mechanics. Whether you like the Batmobile and the story or not, Arkham Knight is far from a bad game.

While the wound of this one may still be fresh for some, the fact is that in a few years we won't see Arkham Knight as the tainted experience we currently do. It will just fit nicely into the trilogy and be remembered as part of one of gaming's greatest achievements.

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"Rocksteady ends the Arkham trilogy with a real masterwork: a game full of dramatic turns of events, highly polished, with a varied gameplay and rich of things to do. It will be hard to be disappointed with it."  - MondoXbox

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12. Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions - 82%

Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions blends together everything players loved about previous games in the series, and new elements that fit like a glove. Online co-op and leaderboards are definitely the best additions to the series that make this game much more tense and exciting than it ever was playing against the AI.

Fans of multidirectional shooters, i.e. Asteroids, Dead Nation, Super Stardust, should definitely check out Dimensions, the latest in a long-running series that helped define the genre.

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"Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions takes everything that worked about its already-great predecessors, and brings them together into a new dimension of awesomeness."

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                                 - Arcade Sushi

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13. Child of Light - 82%

As one of the most beautiful, elegant and memorable RPGs in recent memory, it's no surprise Child of Light features on this list. It might not be a 100+ hour RPG like every other that comes out nowadays, but Child of Light is exactly what it needs to be. It's a 2D side-scrolling RPG with elements of MetroidVania. It's RPG-lite and very accessible, but nonetheless memorable and polished.

The turn-based gameplay is incredibly well thought out. It plays simple enough for those not accustomed to the style, and is nuanced enough for those who do. The story is truly emotional and touching and the whole game looks like a Studio Ghibli movie, as was the inspiration. Put simply, there are few games like this out there and there needs to be more!

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"...perhaps the best thing I can say about Child of Light is that I was often unsure as to whether I was headed in the direction I was supposed to, and I never once cared. I just wanted to fly to every corner of the world, take it in, and smile."  - IGN

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14. Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones - 82%

Much like the original game, Stealth Inc. 2 has you play as a clone attempting to escape a research facility. With over 60 levels of sneakiness, Stealth Inc. 2 is one of few real stealth games on the market.

The levels increase in difficulty as you progress and can become truly challenging. But similar to the Souls games, death is almost encouraged as a learning tool.

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"With some planning, a little patience, and a plethora of ruthless death animations, Stealth Inc. 2 is a fun and rewarding experience."                                                  - DarkStation

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15. Fifa 15 - 82%

We begin our list with an EA Sports staple and the best football/soccer series ever to hit consoles. Coincidentally at number fifteen on the list, Fifa 15 is the second in the series to make it to current-gen consoles, and the little tweaks made the beautiful game even better.

Improved player memories and emotions make for a more realistic football simulation, in which players' body language and facial expressions change as each match progresses. Additionally the fans, managers and bench players react for the first time. And commentary was refined yet again, continuing to improve the Fifa series. And yet, Fifa 15 is not the highest ranked football game on Xbox One. Regardless, here's what The Guardian had to say about the game:

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If this is your first Fifa game on the new gen consoles then you will be blown away by all the little details that together contribute to an overall experience not too dissimilar to watching football on live television.

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It was little over 2 years ago when Microsoft walked out of its worst ever E3 press conference. Little more than a week later it reversed all of its Xbox One policies over DRM, online connectivity and game sharing. Fast forward 2 years and the ramifications of those initial blunders are still being felt by Microsoft. But the Xbox team, including its head Phil Spencer, deserves a ton of credit for the way it's turned the ship around.

But alas we're not here to dwell on the turbulent life of the Xbox One, we're here to celebrate the awesome games on the console. We've compiled a list of the highest rated Xbox One games to date, as rated by Metacritic. It's worth noting, however, that remasters and games that were released on Xbox 360 first, will not be counted.

The games on this list show the diversity of not just the Xbox One's library but the games industry as a whole. 

One final note: games that have the same score are in descending order of user score on Metacritic. And with that out of the way, read on and find out what Xbox One games are the highest rated!

Racing games come in many flavours, some are simulations, some are semi-realistic, and some are arcade racers and not realistic at all. But have we seen a resurgence of racing games? With DiRT: Rally, Project Cars, Forza Horizon 2, and Mario Kart 8 we have the 3 main types of racing game: off-road and on-road simulation, semi-realistic racing, and arcade games. They are all excellent, and they are all the top of their game.

Racing Games of the Past Few Years Have Been Average at Best.

DiRT 2 and DiRT 3 took the simulation and threw it out to the door, favoring easy control over skill.

The F1 games have been steadily decreasing in quality. Grid (formerly TOCA Race Driver) started off promising. Then Grid 2 happened, which took everything that was good about the series and removed it. Grid 2 wasn't a badly made game, but it was a bad Grid game. Grid: Autosport gives me hope for the future of that series.

Even the Forza series, Forza 5 launched with fewer tracks and cars than the 3rd game in the series, and the others were sold as DLC. Forza 4 didn't do much to elevate the series, and it looked like it was going stagnant. The spin-off, Horizon. was weirdly a better game, and Horizon 2 is great fun.

You don't need top of the line cars to have fun driving.

The PS2/1 Era Was the Golden Age for Racing Games

We saw some of the greats around this time time, with Richard Burns Rally the Vrally series, Colin McRae Rally (which turned into Colin McRae DiRT, and later the DiRT series), the original Forza games, and Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec. It was one hell of a time to be a racing game fan. Then driving games, like Driver (for the PS1), allows us to drive around a city. I haven't gotten the same feeling of freedom in a driving game since Forza Horizon.

Driver had 'stars', just like GTA but focused on driving.

Where are we now?

There have been recent games, like DiRT: Rally and Project Cars, that I believe are bringing back the racing genre. But why these two in particular?

Rally games have been splitting into general off-roading games with the DiRT series, but DiRT: Rally has taken up the mantle of Richard Burns Rally.

So far, it's doing an amazing job. Driving feels scary (but is a lot of fun). This is what driving games used to be: they took skill, positioning, listening, and determination. In more recent games, you often only need to apply the handbrake to do a killer powerslide. But doing the same thing in DiRT: Rally is far more satisfying. It makes you feel like a driving god. 

Imagine this: You hear about a right 1 while barreling down the side of a mountain in Greece. This fills you with a sense of dread, but only for a split second. You gently apply brakes and line up to sling-shot around the corner. Every time you do this, you feel unstoppable. But you missed the one pace note that was most important: "don't cut". You very quickly stop, and with an earth-shattering screech you grind to a halt on your roof. And you kick yourself for not listening harder.

Project Cars is much the same, except it's on-road.

Instead of the car feeling loose and sliding around, it sticks to the road. You cannot simply fling the car around a corner. Everything needs to be clinical and precise, planned within milliseconds and executed to perfection. Now it sounds like I'm talking about the Arma series... right, back to racing.

Project Cars makes you the driver of a real car with wheels. You are driving an open-wheeled Ariel Atom around the track of Monaco, and upon seeing one of the famous tight bends you start braking. You start to turn, but you lock up. You loosen your grip on the brake. Though you've managed to regain control, you've missed the apex. You re-focus, re-calculate, and push on.

Nailing the next corner, you take the perfect like and regain your composure... always thinking about the next 3 corners. Planning, positioning, and ticking each corner off as you go. You complete a lap, but there is no rest for the wicked. You now have to snake your way up a hill, constantly managing your speed. You continue, slowly getting faster around the track, taking more risks. You are in a car, a car with an engine, pedals, wheels, and a gear box. You ARE driving.

 Recreate the best moments of F1, if you are skillful enough.

Driving is (becoming) amazing again!

As you may be able to tell, I am a big fan of both these games. They both make you feel like you are actually driving. You are not simply steering, you are the car. Man and machine are one.

Both the above games always throw something new at you, often something you want to do. A new approach to a corner, trying a new car, playing against a different person online. You always want to push the boundaries.

This is what being a racing driver must be like, so no wonder they love their jobs. It's exhilarating. Let's just hope this trend continues, and we see many more true driving games in the future.

That isn't to say I don't like arcade racers, Split/Second and Mario Kart (especially Double Dash) are amazing as well!

Driveclub's release on Tuesday came out with mixed reviews and impressions. For a game that was hailed as a "Forza killer," it certainly didn't deliver on that promise.

While Sony's exclusive is not a bad game by any means, it doesn't live up to the standards of what PlayStation gamers would and should expect.

Based on 46 critic scores over at Metacritic, Driveclub received a metascore of 72. 30 of them were positive, 15 were on the fence, and then there's the glaring negative review by Giant Bomb, in which reviewer Jeff Gerstmann just wasn't a fan of the game at all.

It's a shame that Driveclub received nine scores less than 7 out of 10 out of 46 total reviews. It's bad publicity for Sony with their latest exclusive. Perhaps a lack of confidence is why the company decided to pull the free version on PlayStation Plus that was due for release on Tuesday, forcing gamers to buy it if they wanted to check it out.

But there sure are going to be a lot of people who wait until the free edition comes out before slapping $60 down on this title.

Where did Sony go wrong with their latest exclusive?

Taking Dirveclub by itself, it's certainly not a bad title. It's wrongly being compared too much to Forza - but Sony asked for the comparison by hailing it as the "Forza killer" in a recent trailer.

For a general racing fan, the game is great. The graphics are incredible, the tracks are fun, and the multiplayer experience is a blast. As a Forza alternative for gamers that don't have an Xbox One, it's just fine.

However, "just fine" could be why Driveclub will ultimately be declared a failure. If it were a 3rd party title, I doubt it would be critiqued so hardly or be compared to Forza as much. But because it's a racing game, because it's only available on one system, and people have been waiting since its initial release day from the PS4 launch, the game is getting nothing but the "meh" review.

That's not acceptable for a Sony exclusive. These are titles that are supposed to be system sellers, and it's beginning to be a troubling trend for the PS4.

A troubling trend for Sony exclusives

Killzone: Shadow Fall, PS4's big budget launch title, mostly received average reviews. Knack was widely panned and it was free. Infamous: Second Son has been the best title so far, but ultimately fell short in its high standards and didn't live up to how fun either of the first two titles in the franchise were.

Sony was able to win the beginning of the generation by selling the PS4 for $100 less than the Xbox One. But even with a commanding lead in the console race, it simply hasn't delivered in terms of content. There's almost no reason for casual gamers that have ample options to play on the PS3 to even glance in the direction of the PS4.

Sure, the exclusives are a fun experience on the PS4, but they can wait. There are so many better high quality games on the PS3 that can be played right now, and at reduced pricing.

Driveclub is not a bad game, but it will likely fail because it couldn't make its deadline; gamers had to wait for nearly an entire year before it came out, and it didn't live up to the lofty, stupid expectations of it being better than the Microsoft exclusive Forza.

It just doesn't make enough waves to be a Sony exclusive.

The next edition of the series Forza Horizon 2’s demo is now available for download.

The Xbox exclusive has already gone gold and is now headed for mass production just a few weeks before its September 30^th release date.

Microsoft announced the news via this Vine video below. It displays professional racer Tanner Foust driving Forza Horizon 2's signature Lamborghini Huracan, who promptly peels put right after the big announcement.

The upcoming racing video game published by Microsoft Studios and developed by Turn 10 Studios is the 7^th edition in the Forza Motorsport series, the first installment came with the self-titled Forza Motorsport release back in 2005.

Microsoft is also giving away eight free in-game cars to Forza Horizon 2 players to correspond with the game's launch at the end of the month, those cars being:

• 1956 Ford F-100
• 1968 Abarth 595 Esseesse
• 1987 Buick Regal GNX
• 1993 Clio Williams
• 1997 Land Rover Defender 90
• 2003 Ford Focus RS
• 2012 Cadillac Escalade ESV
• 2015 Ford Mustang GT

Both gamers and car fanatics can drool over that list without a doubt.

Microsoft also released information the Forza Horizon 2 VIP Membership and Car Pass as well.

VIP members will receive a five-car VIP Car Pack, and also gain in-game rewards at double the normal rate as well as have access to exclusive multiplayer events, and in-game gifts.

The Car Pass gives players access to six monthly add-ons featuring five cars beginning in October. Players who purchase the Car Pass will also receive a 2010 Noble M600.

With a massive amount of retail games coming out in 2014 and early 2015, I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to compile a list of the top games on gamer's radars. Please note that as bias as it is I have left out Nintendo console and handhelds along with PC.

September has a small list of games coming out, on top of this list is one that launches this Tuesday a small title called Destiny; I won't go into much detail about this, as anyone that isn't living under a rock knows a good amount about it.  The only thing I would like to touch on is that if you buy Destiny digitally on last-gen consoles, Bungie is offering a free upgrade to next gen and you get to keep both copies. NHL is another title, although ranking low on my list, that will be high on people's lists.

September 9 

Destiny (PS3, 360, PS4, and X1)

NHL 15 (PS3, 360, PS4, and X1)

September 23

FIFA 15 (PS3, 360, PS4, and X1)

At the end of September comes yet another big title: Shadow of Mordor. This title stands out on this launch week for me.

September 30

Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor (PS3, 360, PS4, and X1)

Persona 4: Arena Ultimax (PS3 and 360)

Forza Horizon 2 (360 AND X1)

Natural Doctrine (PS3, PS4, and VITA)

October has a huge lineup, which would have been bigger had Evolve not been pushed back. In this is includes three games that I have been anticipating for some time now: Evil Within, Lords of the Fallen, and Sunset Overdrive. 

October 7

Driveclub (PS4)

Project Spark (X1)

NBA 2K15 (PS3 and 360)

Alien Isolation (PS3, 360, PS4, and X1)

October 14:

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (360 and PS3)

The Evil Within (PS3, 360, PS4, and X1)

October 28

Lords of the Fallen (PS4 and X1)

Sunset Overdrive (X1)

WWE 2K15 (PS3, 360, PS4, and X1) 

November holds a couple iconic games that have marched their ways into players hearts and ranking among the best franchises of their time, We have yet another Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed.

November 4

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (PS3, 360, PS4, and X1)

November 11

Assassin's Creed: Unity (X1 and PS4)

Assassin's Creed: Rogue (PS3 and 360)

The Crew (360, PS4, and X1)

Halo: The Master Chief Collection (X1)

November 18:

Dragon Age: Inquisition (PS3, 360, PS4, and X1)

Far Cry 4 (PS3, 360, PS4, and X1)

Little Big Planet 3 (PS3 and PS4)

December is a little lackluster for releases; however, with the amojnt of overwhelming games launched in the months prior, gamers will have more than enough to get them through the holidays. But just after the new year, there are a couple games that should be mentioned. Evolve was pushed to Q1 of 2015 and the PS4 exclusive Bloodborne has been announced for it's Japanese launch in February, leading us to believe that US launch is shortly after that. Also around the corner is MK: X.

In short this game season is going to be awesome and expensive.

EGX London, formerly known as the Eurogamer Expo, is the big brother of EGX Rezzed. Where as Rezzed covered mostly smaller studios, both independent and from within larger companies alike, London will showcase mainly larger titles. However, Rezzed will have a spot at the event. Also announced is the première of Bedrooms to Billions - the story of the UK games industry.

I attended Rezzed earlier this year, here you can read some of my thoughts on the event which include the leg shaking fear I experienced whilst playing Alien: Isolation.

The Show Floor

Where to begin? 12 games have been announced at the time of posting, one would expect that to triple before the event kicks off on September 25th, 2014.

• Alien: Isolation - In space you can read the impressions from E3.
  
• Battlefield: Hardline - EA assure us that Battlefield will not become an annual title. Dice also said they'd never charge for maps...
  
• Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! - Enjoy this 14 minutes of low gravity gameplay, minions!
• Destiny - Try out Bungie's new FPS, then go purchase the collector's editions. Yes. All. Of. Them.
  
• Driveclub - The PlayStation exclusive racing game. No, it isn't Gran Turismo.
  
• Evolve - From the creators of Left 4 Dead. Enough said.
• Fables Legends - A game that is due to last 5 to 10 years? A huge claim, it would seem that the spirit of Peter Molyneux lives on at Lionhead Studios.
  
•  Forza Horizon 2 - Showcased at E3, it is another one of those open-world racing titles.
• Halo: The Master Chief Collection - Four games, three four three, two companies, one hero. Everything we learnt from E3.
  
• LittleBigPlanet 3 - Sackboy returns! There are a lot of changes promised, can they deliver?
  
• Nosgoth - A game set in the rich, but under used, universe of Kain.
  
• Project Spark - Due for release this October, the game that teased us with Conker at E3. They shall never be forgiven.
  
• Sunset Overdrive - Open world, check. Crazy weapons, check. Monsters, check. The ability to play as a female, or dress as one if you so please, check! Insomniac aim to please.
  
• War Thunder - A next generation MMO that is dedicated to World War II aviation, armoured vechiles and more!
  

Rezzed Area

So far there has been 15 titles revealed for the Rezzed area, most of them are not reshows from EGX Rezzed back in March.

• Bit Brawlers - A brawler where the content comes from us, the player. 
  
• Fearless Fantasy - Most original RPG of the year. According to Chris Less, producer of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
  
• Gang Beasts - Heavily inspired by Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, and other classic mêlée fighters, Gang Beasts is a family made game for... the family.
• Heat Signature - Stay cool with Heat Signature
  
• No Time to Explain - Well, if they don't have the time to explain?
• Poncho -  2 years in the making, finally in Alpha, time to don your North American rain mac.
• Prison Architect - It's been locked up for several months in early access, is it time for release?
• Quest of Dungeons - A turn-based dungeon crawler with roguelike characteristics.
• Speed Runners - tinyBuild are representing in a huge way, Speed Runners is their 4th title confirmed for the Rezzed area.
  
• Spoiler Alert - With this being tinyBuild's 5th. Massive spoilers!
  
• The Adventures of Bertram Fiddle - An animation studios first foray into the world of games.
• TinyKeep - Roguelike, check. Procedurally generated dungeons, check. Smart AI, check. Female characters, no check. 
• Velocity 2X - A Sony exclusive! 
• Volume - A stealth game about being heard? Yeah, that was my reaction too. Check it out though!
• War for the Overworld - Subterranean Games believe their game will be more fun than taking candy from a baby. Have they tried? Have you tried? I've tried!

Colour Me Excited

Both lists, so far, have me rather excited for my trip to EGX London. How about you; are you heading to EGX? What games are you most excited for?