Ridge

Ridge Racer Unbounded lets you take the race on just about anything. You’ll be able to blow things up in whichever way you see fit, whether it be wiping cars out in a small parking lot, crushing cars on a track that is 15 miles away, or turning off of an alarm system that allows you to play on a pile of stuff. The game’s full car roster, which is sure to keep you coming back for more, will keep you busy with updates to the game post-launch.

If you can’t wait to race and tweak your road car, you can always add new parts to your car via microtransactions. And while it’s definitely not a simulation, it does add a pretty cool twist to the gameplay. Want to go for some hot hot-seat racing in a cloud city? Here’s the option.

It also makes it easier to pass the time when cars enter the arena, keeping you on the lookout for when you need to hit the ground running. But where this game really shines is its art design, which is gorgeous. For instance, when driving in the rain, the rain effects that rain create can fill up quite a bit of the screen, giving you an idea of where the car could be at any given moment. And those snowy, snowy mountains will definitely become the primary setting for these screenshots.

Though it’s not exactly clear what the game offers, Burnout Paradise Remastered is really what one would expect from a remaster of an older game. Unfortunately, the lack of online multiplayer doesn’t come with it, as it’s a much more off-putting experience when compared to what’s offered in the original game. However, the removal of split-screen multiplayer should at least keep the game feeling more enjoyable.

See our Burnout Paradise Remastered review.

One of the best third-party Xbox games you can buy right now, Perfect Dark Zero delivered a stylish experience that relied on slick visuals to make the most of the Xbox Series X’s horsepower. It also brought a lot of great new features to the table, like the ability to trade weapons and even host their own private servers. Perfect Dark Zero was especially intriguing due to its in-depth level editor that allowed players to create their own private missions. While the game is short, it was a welcome change to the over-the-top gameplay that still retained an edge over its predecessor. For those who want a return to the gritty, visceral experience, Perfect Dark Zero was the game to play.

See our Perfect Dark Zero review.

Grand Theft Auto V’s online mode features a ton of features that were sorely missing from the core game. From the social activities that allow you to help others out to earn currency, to the various activities that will see you raising your income, GTA Online is an absolute blast and an absolute joy to play through. Rockstar’s open-world experience offers plenty of variety, but if you’re a new player and don’t plan on playing in co-op, GTA V’s online mode is a lot more fun than GTA Online. If you can get past the main campaign and get invested, GTA Online offers a vast multiplayer world to explore that includes some of the best missions in the game. With its absolutely huge array of content, GTA V’s multiplayer features live up to the reputation and impact of the game it’s based on.

See our Grand Theft Auto V review.

This is exactly what you’d expect if you took a Watch Dogs-style open-world approach. While Watch Dogs may not be Ubisoft’s flagship franchise, it’s been doing some pretty big business this generation, making Watch Dogs an exceptional experience for those that played it at launch. Rockstar’s formula is pretty solid. Like so many open-world games, Watch Dogs features an investigative mode that allows you to explore and recruit characters to help you make your way through its world. While Watch Dogs is fun, it’s also incredibly challenging, making it the ultimate challenge for anyone that’s put a lot of time and thought into the Watch Dogs experience. The game is also filled with plenty of secrets and side missions that will leave you open to completely unexpected revelations. If you want a lot of bang for your buck, check out our Watch Dogs review.

See our Watch Dogs review.

Easily one of the most innovative and inventive open-world games of the year, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the best role-playing games of all time. As Geralt, you’ll roam through a dark fantasy world and venture out into the wilds of the Continent. But the Witcher 3 is a far more serious game than its predecessors. Geralt’s inner turmoil will send you on a dangerous journey with dozens of side quests and more to keep you occupied.