The weekend is upon gamers once again, and whether they’re dodging heat waves or just looking to unplug from the week’s trials and tribulations, it’s always a perfect time to sink into a good game on Xbox. From big-budget blockbusters with new updates to trending games with new reasons to dive right in, there’s no shortage of options to choose from. No need to stress about backlog guilt, since these titles are worth the time and investment right now on Xbox.
This week’s picks are all about momentum. Some are riding the wave of recent DLC or sequels, while others are blowing up on social media thanks to events, quality-of-life changes, or just general community buzz. Whether a player is looking for a cinematic open-world adventure or a chaotic PvP showdown, this weekend’s lineup has something for every mood.
16 Open-World Games With The Best Stories, Ranked
The focus in open-world games is often placed on explorations and player freedom, but some titles manage to tell awesome stories, too.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 has been on many gamers' radars recently, and for good reason. CD Projekt Red just dropped Update 2.3 for Cyberpunk 2077, and hype around the game has reached new heights. With new vehicles, expanded photo mode, and more customization options, players are flocking back to Night City to get a taste of what’s new. Now is the best time to jump into Cyberpunk 2077 after a rocky race to the finish line.
Cyberpunk 2077 immerses players in Night City, a futuristic metropolis filled with danger, corruption, and predatory corporations. The game follows V, a mercenary fighting to survive. When a heist goes south, V gains access to a sought-after biochip that grants immortality. Needing to insert the biochip into themselves as a last resort, V discovers that the biochip has the memories and consciousness of Cyberpunk 2077's Johnny Silverhand, a rockstar-turned-terrorist who is now stuck inside V’s head. V struggles in a race against time to remove the biochip before their consciousness is fully overwritten, all while navigating the dangers of Night City.
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Engine
- REDengine 4
- Cross-Platform Play
- ps, xbox, pc
- Cross Save
- yes
- Expansions
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Franchise
- Cyberpunk
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- PC Release Date
- December 10, 2020
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- February 15, 2022
- PS5 Release Date
- February 15, 2022
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- June 5, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
Marvel Rivals
When it comes to virality in gaming circles on Instagram or TikTok, Marvel Rivals is hard to overlook. The excitement surrounding this lively hero shooter makes it easy to understand its popularity. With exceptional character design, endless replayability, and a thrilling competitive scene, Marvel Rivals truly stands out as a gem in its genre. Its season passes always add a fresh new layer to the game, so whether someone is coming back to the game after a break or picking it up for the first time, there’s always something new to look forward to. And with Marvel Rivals’ current Summer Special Event, the possibilities for customization and extra perks are endless.
Marvel Rivals is a team-based PvP shooter where players compete as some of Marvel’s most iconic characters. With dynamic maps, challenging game modes, and fun skins, players get to build an ideally balanced dream team that will lead them toward heroic (or villainous) victory.
Marvel Rivals
- Released
- December 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence
- Developer(s)
- NetEase Games
- Publisher(s)
- NetEase Games
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Limited - console crossplay, no PC crossplay
- Cross Save
- No
- Franchise
- Marvel
- Number of Players
- 1-6
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- How Long To Beat
- 7.5 hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 20 GB
Death Stranding
As a true video game auteur, Hideo Kojima struck gold with Death Stranding. With the recent release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Kojima’s genre-defying saga is once again capturing the awe of players around the world. Conversations are resurfacing around its themes of connection, isolation, and post-apocalyptic rebirth, now reframed by the sequel’s continued worldbuilding and new characters.
Whether players are diving into the original for the first time or revisiting it to prepare for the next chapter, the renewed spotlight makes now an ideal moment to explore (or re-explore) this hauntingly stunning title. To make the deal sweeter, Death Stranding is currently on sale for Xbox.
Death Stranding follows Sam Porter Bridges, a courier tasked with reconnecting isolated settlements in a fractured, post-apocalyptic United States. After a cataclysmic event known as the Death Stranding, the world is plagued by invisible monsters and supernatural phenomena tied to the realm of the dead. Sam’s journey is both literal and symbolic, as he navigates treacherous terrain, grapples with his own trauma, and uncovers a plot that could either destroy humanity or save it.
Death Stranding
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 79%
- Released
- November 8, 2019
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Decima
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes! Players will share the same server as Steam and Epic users
- Cross Save
- yes
- Franchise
- Death Stranding
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- PC Release Date
- July 14, 2020
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- November 7, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- September 24, 2021
- Genre(s)
- Action
- Platform(s)
- iOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- How Long To Beat
- 40 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- no
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium