The Best Exploration Games for Xbox Series X

Update : Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island added at rank #19.
1

Outer Wilds (2019)

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94
Review score
Logo of Outer Wilds Screenshot of Outer Wilds Screenshot of Outer Wilds Screenshot of Outer Wilds

Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Android

Unravel the mysteries of the universe in Outer Wilds, an award-winning open world game. Explore an ever-evolving solar system, uncover alien secrets, and enjoy a thought-provoking narrative. With no enemies to fight, you're free to discover at your own pace. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in space!


What we like:
  • Unique and immersive gameplay experience
  • Beautiful and intricate world-building
  • Thought-provoking narrative
  • Encourages fearless discovery
  • Captures the mysteries of the universe
What could be improved:
  • May cause motion sickness
  • Game's physics can lead to unexpected deaths

  • exploration
  • mystery
  • discovery
  • puzzle
  • open-world
  • space
  • sci-fi
  • endless
  • first-person
  • adventure
  • day
  • story

2

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023)

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83
Review score
Logo of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Screenshot of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Screenshot of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Screenshot of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 4 Playstation 5

Unleash the force in STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor! Join Cal Kestis on an unforgettable, galaxy-spanning adventure packed with stunning visuals, satisfying gameplay, and a captivating storyline. Face thrilling boss battles and explore vast worlds. Are you ready to protect the Jedi Order?


What we like:
  • Gripping narrative
  • Visually stunning
  • Satisfying gameplay
  • Improved character development
  • Exciting boss fights
What could be improved:
  • Technical performance issues
  • Lackluster exploration
  • Some animations lack polish

  • fight
  • combat
  • action-adventure
  • exploration
  • platform
  • open-world
  • narrative
  • battle
  • boss
  • puzzle
  • adventure
  • action
  • skill
  • boss-fight
  • customization

3

Submerged: Hidden Depths (2020)

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90
Review score
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stadia PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Xbox One

Explore a sunken world in Submerged: Hidden Depths as you navigate through a non-combat third-person 'relaxploration' adventure. Immerse yourself in this beautiful and haunting world while collecting relics and searching for the seeds of salvation. Enjoy the beautiful graphics, atmosphere and music that make for an awesome gameplay experience.


What we like:
  • Beautiful graphics and atmosphere
  • Interesting way of storytelling through drawings and actions
  • Awesome music
  • Improved gameplay from the previous game
  • Relaxing game with no combat
What could be improved:
  • Laid-back gameplay may be too chill for some
  • Minimal parkour and platforming
  • The boat can be frustrating and ruins immersion

  • exploration
  • relaxing
  • open-world
  • puzzle
  • adventure
  • sailing
  • walking-simulator
  • platform
  • collectible
  • relaxploration
  • narrative
  • third-person
  • combat
  • post-apocalyptic
  • discovery

4

Creatures of Ava (2024)

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76
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X

Let your empathy guide you as you play an exciting action-adventure, creature-saver game. Understand and tame the creatures of Ava and let them lead you through a variety of ecosystems – all in the hopes of saving the planet from a life-consuming infection.


  • creature
  • collector
  • exploration
  • non-aggressive
  • action-adventure
  • curiosity-driven
  • lore
  • space
  • sci-fi
  • cozy
  • wholesome
  • adventure
  • crafting
  • colourful
  • cute

5

No Man's Sky (2016)

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89
Review score
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PC Windows Android Mac OS Xbox Series X osvr psvr Playstation 5 Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

No Man's Sky is a massive universe-sim sandbox experience that lets you explore an infinite number of planets with unique lifeforms and environments. Upgrade your ship and suit for survival and choose your own path - whether you want to be a trader, fighter, or explorer. The game offers great graphics and good VR support with the ability to play with friends and share your discoveries.

Buy

What we like:
  • Deliver on promises
  • Great graphics
  • Cross-play enabled
  • Good VR support
What could be improved:
  • Some bugs present
  • Not challenging enough
  • No co-op progression

  • inventory
  • survival
  • exploration
  • sci-fi
  • crafting
  • pirates
  • resource
  • discovery
  • aliens
  • trading
  • multiplayer
  • space
  • sandbox
  • open-world
  • management

6

Castlevania DominuS Collection (2024)

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90
Review score
Logo of Castlevania DominuS Collection Screenshot of Castlevania DominuS Collection Screenshot of Castlevania DominuS Collection Screenshot of Castlevania DominuS Collection

Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Three incredible action adventure games from the Castlevania series have finally returned, for the first time! But wait, there's more! Haunted Castle Revisited, a redesigned version of the very first Castlevania arcade game, makes its debut!


  • metroidvania
  • platform
  • pixel
  • rpg
  • vampire
  • action-adventure
  • action
  • exploration
  • 2d
  • dark
  • remake
  • compilation
  • arcade
  • piracy
  • time-consuming

7

Bramble: The Mountain King (2023)

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80
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows

Bramble The Mountain King is a grim adventure set in a world inspired by dark, Nordic fables. Explore the beautiful yet dangerous and twisted land of Bramble in your endeavour to rescue your sister. Traverse a wondrous landscape and survive deadly encounters with Bramble's many hideous creatures.


  • horror
  • platform
  • dark
  • exploration
  • narrative
  • puzzle
  • boss-fight
  • cinematic
  • adventure
  • mythology
  • action-adventure
  • fantasy
  • story
  • emotional
  • lore

8

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order (2019)

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89
Review score
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Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox Series X Playstation 5 stadia Xbox One

Jedi: Fallen Order is a third-person adventure game set in the Star Wars universe. You are a former Padawan who must hide from the Empire while learning to hone your connection to the Force and become a Jedi. The game features stunning graphics and sound design, an engaging story with unexpected twists, challenging Lightsaber combat that requires practice, and plenty of collectibles to discover across multiple worlds.

Buy

What we like:
  • Rich design and scale
  • Wonderful wildlife
  • Diverse cast of characters
  • Rewarding Lightsaber combat that improves with practice
  • Deep customisation options for your Lightsaber
  • Replayable due to hidden loot and hidden pathways opening up over time
  • Fantastic score and sound design
What could be improved:
  • Combat based on animation rather than reflexes can be difficult to master
  • Some areas may become repetitive or boring
  • Predictable moments in story

  • exploration
  • souls
  • combat
  • action-adventure
  • puzzle
  • fight
  • third-person
  • platform
  • story
  • adventure
  • metroidvania
  • boss-fight
  • battle
  • boss
  • swordplay

9

The Gunk (2021)

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78
Review score
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Xbox Series X PC Windows Xbox One

The Gunk is a story-driven, fully 3D action-adventure game that follows Rani and Becks, two scavengers exploring an alien planet to uncover its mysteries. With a captivating story and engaging gameplay loop of collecting resources and upgrading tools, The Gunk is an immersive experience full of surprises.


What we like:
  • Loveable characters
  • Captivating story
  • Engaging resource collecting loop
  • Transforming areas by freeing them from corruption
  • Smartly designed puzzles
  • Interconnecting paths in levels
  • Great art design
  • Excellent soundtrack
What could be improved:
  • Movement can be cumbersome at times
  • Minor technical issues

  • platform
  • exploration
  • action-adventure
  • puzzle
  • adventure
  • combat
  • narrative
  • third-person
  • crafting
  • relaxing
  • metroidvania
  • mystery
  • resource
  • 3d
  • sci-fi

10

Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- (2021)

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84
Review score
Logo of Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- Screenshot of Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- Screenshot of Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- Screenshot of Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-

Playstation 4 PC Windows Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5

Play as Deedlit in Record of Lodoss War ~Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth~, a thrilling 2D action-exploration game. Using your sword and bow, fight against enemies and level up your elemental spirits to gain new abilities. With beautiful graphics and an engaging story by the original creator, both longtime fans and new players will enjoy this Metroidvania-style adventure.


What we like:
  • Fantastic gameplay and puzzles
  • Beautiful 2D sprites with great animations
  • Good music
  • Backtracking is not a chore
  • Smooth and responsive controls with continuous influx of new weapons and spells
What could be improved:
  • Extremely short gameplay for completionists
  • Grating music at times
  • Potentially difficult fights

  • anime
  • boss
  • "
  • action-exploration
  • exploration
  • pixel
  • novel
  • metroidvania
  • 2d
  • fantasy
  • rpg
  • boss-fight
  • platform
  • beat-em-up
  • ikaruga

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