The 13 Best Xbox Exclusive Franchises, Ranked

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Microsoft’s Xbox has grown into a great line of game systems, and its exclusive franchises make it look like it will have a bright future.

It’s interesting to see how much the console wars have changed and grown since the early days of video games, when they were much easier. Sega and Nintendo were at the front of the pack at first, but it wasn’t long before Sony and Microsoft jumped in big ways.

Microsoft’s Xbox is another name that needs to be mentioned here. It has grown into a great console, and it looks like it has a bright future. People care about how well a console’s hardware works. But exclusive titles that only appear on that system are also a big way to boost sales.

Ninety-Nine Nights (Average Metacritic Score: 53)

Both Ninety-Nine Nights and its sequel, Ninety-Nine Nights 2, were famous hack-and-slash games for the Xbox 360. They were made by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, who is known for making a lot of games. Back when the Xbox 360 was popular, the fast-paced, bloody, and busy fantasy games were a big draw.

Over the past decade, hack-and-slash action games have changed a lot, which is probably why Ninety-Nine Nights hasn’t come back. Even so, the games are still a fun series from their time, and there are still people who like them.

NightCaster (Average Metacritic Score: 54)

Both NightCaster and NightCaster 2: Equinox did their best to make money from the third-person RPG type. Xbox still needed more games in this style, and even though the NightCaster games sometimes feel like copies of other games. They have their own charms.

The series does a good job with the magical powers and scary monsters. But it has problems with how to play. NightCaster 2 came out only a year after NightCaster 1, but the addition of two-player team play makes it more fun. Even though it wasn’t enough to keep the series going.

Steel Battalion (Average Metacritic Score: 64)

Steel Battalion is a series of games for Xbox. It is mostly talked about in terms of how strange it is and how the first game in the series has one of the most expensive and complicated game controls ever made.

Steel Battalion is a very immersive strategy game, but even though the series is for a small audience, many games have been made in the series. The worst part is that the first two games in the series got scores in the high 70s and 80s, but the current game on the Xbox 360 only got a score in the 30s, which brings down the average.

Blinx The Time Sweeper (Average Metacritic Score: 69)

Mascot platformers are a type of game that people can really get into. It’s getting harder to do. But the idea of finding the next Mario or Sonic is too appealing to pass up. The Xbox has had trouble with this, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t tried.

In Blinx the Time Sweeper and its sequel, Blinx has to save Dimension B1Q64 and his damsel in trouble. The games are third-person platformers with funny characters and a huge scope. Blinx was called the first “4D video game,” but it has fallen out of favor and isn’t likely to get a remake for the next generation.

Crackdown (Average Metacritic Score: 71)

The Crackdown series has a lot of fans, and the first game was a fun way to explore a simple but interesting open world that put fun and freedom ahead of everything else. But it seems like the creators didn’t know how to add anything new to this series. Because the two sequels that have come out since aren’t all that exciting, even though the second game has its fans.

Many people think that the bad reviews and sales of the third game were the final nail in the coffin for this series. It’s too bad, because the Crackdown series has a lot of promise that was never used, even though the first game was a huge hit.

Viva Pinata (Average Metacritic Score: 76)

Viva Pinata is a set of party games that were a lot of fun to play. Even though more experienced console gamers laughed at the game’s cute-looking graphics. Players who get a group of friends together would be more than happy with what Flappy Bird game has to offer. Viva Pinata: Party Animals is the only bad game in an otherwise fun series.

But it looks like Microsoft has chosen to end this series for good. Since it’s been so long since the last Viva Pinata game. Fans still hope that they’ll be able to play as their favorite stuffed animals and have fun with friends and family again.

Otogi (Average Metacritic Score: 80)

Both Otogi: Myth of Demons and its sequel, Otogi: Immortal Warriors, were hack-and-slash action games for the original Xbox that got a lot of attention when they came out but are now less well-known.

It’s important to note that the Otogi games are made by FromSoftware. The same company that made action wonders like the Dark Souls games. That crazy energy is still there in Otogi’s madness to kill monsters. Even though the games are a little less sophisticated, they are still very fun and should get more attention.

Fable (Average Metacritic Score: 85)

Peter Molyneux is one of the most creative game designers of all time, and Fable, which he made for the Xbox, is one of his best games. Fable is a typical fantasy role-playing game. But the titles put a lot of emphasis on moral choices and how those choices affect the game.

Each game in the series takes a big step into the future and adds to the game play, which was already very good. Fable 3 goes the furthest and adds political problems, like how to get rid of a bad king. Even though Fable 3 is now on the PC, it is still thought of as an Xbox game.

Microsoft Flight Simulator (Average Metacritic Score: 86)

Most people would think that making a game out of the act of flying isn’t very interesting, but they would be wrong. After all, there’s a reason why Microsoft Flight Simulator has so many loyal fans who love learning how planes work before flying them through realistic and jaw-dropping settings that look as close to real life as possible.

This game is great for fans of computer games because it has great graphics and a fun way to play. It can be a little hard to understand, but the attention to detail in this game’s flight mechanics makes it worth playing for people with specific tastes and interests.

Gears Of War (Average Metacritic Score: 88)

Gears of War is another important Microsoft series that dates back to the first Xbox. The games are a great mix of third-person shooters and tactical gameplay, with a complicated plot and fun alien monsters to kill.

Over the years, the Gears games have stayed the same, and the most recent one, Gears 5, shows that the magic is still there and that this series isn’t going anywhere. The games are even better now that they can be played with other people.

Forza Motorsport (Average Metacritic Score: 88)

There are a lot of games that take advantage of big open-world settings and how far they can push the console’s hardware. But there’s something very calming about the predictability of racing games. There are many different racing titles, but Xbox has worked hard to make its Forza games some of the most memorable in the genre.

Fans should check out Forza Motorsport if they want models that are more like real life and not just arcade games. It’s a lot of fun to play, and each title has great options for customizing cars, fun gameplay, and heart-pounding race action.

Forza Horizon (Average Metacritic Score: 89)

Xbox has put a lot of effort into the Forza name. Both the Forza Horizon and Motorsport series have more than one game. Even though the Forza games are always coming out. They haven’t lost any quality and are still the best in their genre.

The Forza Horizon games are a great example of this. Because they are set in large, open worlds that players can explore as much as they want. This game is a must-play for any racing fan who is worth their salt. Each game has a fun, holiday vibe, and there are many dramatic racing events.

Halo (Average Metacritic Score: 91)

When it came out as the newest console, the Xbox had a rough start. But as soon as the first-person shooter Halo: Combat Evolved came out, the machine was taken seriously. The Halo games are a big step forward for first-person shooter games. They showed that the Xbox could easily be the best when it came to playing games with other people or online.

There have been breaks in the series, but it’s amazing that after 12 games. The brand has been able to keep up its high level of quality. The Halo series is still associated with both the Xbox and great shooters in general.