Summary
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection - A great value-for-money collection of games weaved together with a memorable story.
- Oxenfree - A mind-bending adventure dealing with supernatural elements and time loops.
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition - The story of Shepard and his allies against universe-conquering alien forces.
The Xbox One was definitely a great console, although it faced some hurdles upon launch. Microsoft's poor anti-consumer practices for this console led to the platform being absolutely smashed by the PlayStation 4 when the consoles launched, even with the company rolling back many quizzical practices like the limitations on game-sharing and the console needing to be online all the time. However, over time, the Xbox One more than proved itself to be a great console with a decent library of games that made it worth checking out.
15 Best Sandbox Games Of All Time
There have been a ton of sandbox games released in the past few years, but these stand head-and-shoulders above the competition.
There is a wealth of great games on this platform, including story-driven experiences that will cause players to experience a myriad of complex emotions with their exemplary narratives that are memorable in every sense of the word. These story-driven games are excellent for a myriad of reasons, making it clear why any fan of unique narratives in video games will have a great time checking out these fun games and enjoying what they have to offer.
Updated on March 20, 2025, by Usama Ali: For those who love a great story, the Xbox One opens the door to a library of engaging experiences. A lot of people enjoy games with deep storylines because they often feature rich and detailed worlds with extensive lore. With everything from expansive RPGs that tell intricate stories of heroism and consequence to deeply personal, character-driven dramas, the Xbox One's library has something for every taste. We’ve updated this list with a few more games with the best storylines available on Xbox One.
37 Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales
Documents The Journey Of Queen Meve As She Strives To Take The North Back
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Digital Card Game
The marketing for Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales was an absolute travesty. Fans missed out on a story-heavy Xbox game with a modified version of Gwent simply because players didn't know what to expect from this title. This, coupled with the exclusive GOG launch, meant that a lot of Witcher fans have no idea what they're missing out on.
Queen Meve is an important character in the books that many hardcore Witcher fans would be familiar with. Geralt and his group are pretty much forced to swear fealty to the White Queen before escaping to pursue his own quest of finding Ciri. Given how faithful CD Projekt Red has been when it comes to the Witcher universe, it's no surprise that Thronebreaker is another narrative homerun that forces players to make tough choices as they go through this epic adventure.
36 A Plague Tale: Innocence
A Gripping Story About Two Kids in The Most Grim Circumstances Imaginable
A Plague Tale: Innocence
- Released
- May 14, 2019
- Developer(s)
- Asobo Studio
- Franchise
- A Plague Tale
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
A Plague Tale: Innocence is a heart-wrenching game set in 14th-century France during the Black Death, a period of immense suffering and death. Players follow the story of young Amicia and her ill brother Hugo as they navigate a world ravaged by disease and war.
As they journey through plague-ridden villages, the children must rely on their wits and courage to survive. Amicia and her brother are followed by the Inquisition soldiers, who will kill her instantly if they catch her. Players control Amicia and must use a combination of stealth and limited tools to escape from the soldiers and evade swarms of rats using fire and light. The bond between the siblings is central to the narrative, as they face countless hardships together.
35 Titanfall 2
Experience A Story of Heroism And Sacrifice
Titanfall 2
- Developer(s)
- Respawn Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
Titanfall 2's single-player campaign revolves around the unexpected partnership between a human rifleman and a Titan. The player takes on the role of Jack Cooper, a Militia rifleman who dreams of becoming a Pilot. During an important mission, Cooper's mentor, Pilot Lastimosa, is killed, and his Vanguard-class Titan, BT-7274, transfers its neural link to Cooper.
Cooper and BT have to work together to finish Lastimosa's task: stopping the IMC from using a powerful superweapon called the Fold Weapon. The relationship between Cooper and BT is the heart of the story, and it's well-developed and emotionally resonant. BT's personality is a highlight, with its dry humor, logical thinking, and growing sense of loyalty. All in all, Titanfall 2’s campaign features a good mix of action, exploration, and quieter moments, keeping the player engaged throughout.
34 Ori and the Will of the Wisps
A Beautiful, Hand-painted Metroidvania Platformer That Tells The Story of a Young Spirit Named Ori
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Released
- March 11, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Moon Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the sequel to 2015’s critically acclaimed Ori and the Blind Forest. This equally beautiful platform-adventure game continues Ori's journey to a new region called Niwen, which has new challenges and mysteries. Moon Studios has continued its tradition of deep emotional storytelling, exploring themes of loss, hope, and the power of friendship in Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
Along their journey, Ori must confront their own fears and doubts, as well as the dangers that lurk in the shadows. With its breathtaking art style, fluid animations, and precise controls, Ori and the Will of the Wisps offers a truly unforgettable gaming experience.
33 Omori
A Psychological Horror Masterpiece With A Story That Keeps Things Interesting Till The Very End
OMORI
- Released
- December 25, 2020
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Developer
- Omocat
The RPG Maker Engine has played host to both turn-based role-playing games and creative horror titles. Omori is a game that combines both these avenues in a masterful fashion to craft one of the greatest psychological horror RPGs of all time that fans should check out regardless of which genre they prefer over the other.
The story of Sunny as he slowly makes his way outside and forgives himself for a costly mistake he made many years ago is a fun time that players will love. The horror in this title is tasteful and makes this story game on Xbox feel that much more impactful when players reach the end, dealing with themes of loss, escapism, guilt, and PTSD.
32 Persona 3 Reload
One Of The Most Emotional Stories Ever Told In A Persona Game
Persona 3 Reload
- Released
- February 2, 2024
- Developer(s)
- P-Studio
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, RPG, Life Simulation, Strategy
Persona 3 is one of the most important games in the series that established a winning formula by combining the spinoff series' JRPG combat with life sim elements. The end result is an unputdownable experience that was fun at the time, but new fans attracted by the allure of Persona 5 wanted to check out this experience with a fresh coat of paint. Persona 3 Reload certainly delivered on this front.
Persona 3 Reload: Best Gifts For Every Character
Players wishing to impress their favorite Persona 3 Reload character will need to choose the right gift. Here's what's best to offer per character.
Despite its pacing problems and clashing tones, Persona 3 Reload is a tearjerker that will make fans bawl their hearts out by the end. This story game on Xbox One is easily one of the best JRPGs on the platform that players can check out. Given how modern Xbox One releases are a dime a dozen, players with this console who want to check out a modern game should definitely pick up Persona 3 Reload.
31 Cyberpunk 2077
A Thought-Provoking RPG That Challenges Players To Think About Consequences of Their Choices
Cyberpunk 2077
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Cyberpunk 2077's open-world city, criminal underworld setting, and focus on completing missions for various factions are quite similar to the GTA titles. The game is set in Night City, a sprawling, open-world metropolis located in the Free State of California.
Despite the technological advancements, Night City is plagued by social problems, including poverty, crime, and inequality. Powerful corporations control and influence the economy, politics, and even people's daily lives. As such, Cyberpunk 2077 explores themes of identity and existence, urging players to question what it means to be human in a world where the lines between man and machine are blurred. Interestingly, the player’s choices can shape the protagonist’s personality, background, and relationships, influencing the story's outcome.
30 Control
A Mind-Bending Game Set in A Strange, Otherworldly Setting
Control
- Released
- August 27, 2019
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- 505 Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
Control is a third-person action-adventure game where players take on the role of Jesse Faden, a woman who becomes the Director of the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC). The FBC is a secret U.S. Government agency dedicated to studying and controlling supernatural occurrences. Control is set within the Oldest House, a mysterious and ever-shifting skyscraper that serves as the FBC's headquarters.
As Jesse explores the building, she encounters various supernatural entities and challenges. The game's combat system revolves around using Jesse's supernatural abilities, like telekinesis and levitation, to fight enemies and manipulate the environment. Overall, Control is a unique blend of action, exploration, and storytelling in a world full of secrets.
29 Undertale
An Anti-RPG With A Thought-Provoking Narrative That Punishes The Player's Callousness And Indifference
Undertale
No one expected Undertale to become one of the biggest indie sensations of all time. The anti-RPG encourages players to treat monsters like living creatures who deserve to live like anyone else. This lets players form a connection with this unique world where they get genuinely invested in the livelihood of monsters, trying to ensure their survival at all costs. This leads to an emotional battle that becomes even more supercharged with feelings if players decide to go down the pacifist route.
However, there's another route that players can opt for if they decide to treat this game like a regular RPG. By hunting down every monster in an area and taking them down one at a time, players can unlock a Genocide route that sends players tumbling down a dark route that the game tries its hardest to prevent players from embarking on. It's a clever use of gameplay to fuel a narrative that gets really disturbing near the end of the game, when players end up erasing and reconstructing the world, ultimately selling their souls in the process.
28 The Walking Dead: The Final Season
The Final Chapter In Clementine's Story Of Surviving Against All Odds
The Walking Dead: The Final Season
- Released
- August 14, 2018
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Genre(s)
- Graphic Adventure, Horror






The final season of The Walking Dead was a reward for fans who stuck with Telltale and Clementine through thick and thin. Some people felt like the series was losing its luster, with the two seasons that followed the first one being devoid of a lot of things that made Lee and Clementine's journey such a blast to experience. So, fans were glad to see shades of the same come back for the final season of Telltale's The Walking Dead.
Clementine's dynamic with AJ is a blast to experience firsthand, with many players loving how this bond serves as a callback to the first season while having several interesting elements of its own. While some people may argue that the final episode wasn't as much of a gut-punch as it tried to be, there were still several emotional elements that made this game such a blast to play through.