The 10 Best Open-World Games on Xbox Series X|S in 2027
The 10 Best Open-World Games on Xbox Series X|S in 2027
Direct Answer
The best open-world game on Xbox Series X|S in 2027 is Elden Ring ($59.99, often $39.99 on sale), FromSoftware's 2022 Game of the Year, which runs at higher frame rates on the Series X. The best value is Starfield, included free with Xbox Game Pass ($59.99 to buy), offering a sprawling space RPG at no extra cost to subscribers.
This list is for Xbox owners who want large explorable worlds, with several available through Game Pass, at prices from subscription-included to $70. Every game listed is real and currently sold or streamable on Xbox, ranked on world design, console performance, Game Pass availability, content, and value.
1. Elden Ring 🏆 BEST OVERALL
FromSoftware's 2022 action RPG, $59.99 and often $39.99 on sale, holds a 96 Metacritic and won the 2022 Game of the Year award. The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion ($39.99) released in June 2024.
The Lands Between is a smooth world of six regions packed with dungeons and bosses, offering 60-plus hours of core content. On Series X it runs at 60 frames per second in performance mode with fast SSD respawns.
It ranks first because its exploration payoff is unmatched on the platform, and the Series X version delivers the smoothest console performance outside of PC.
2. Starfield 💎 BEST VALUE
Bethesda's 2023 space RPG, $59.99 to buy but included with Xbox Game Pass, holds a 75 Metacritic improved by post-launch updates including a land-vehicle and the Shattered Space expansion (2024).
It spans 1,000-plus planets with a 30-to-40-hour main story, deep ship-building, and outpost crafting. As an Xbox-first title, it is optimized for the Series consoles.
It is the value pick because Game Pass subscribers play it at no additional cost, and the ship-building and exploration loop offers dozens of hours; for a buyer, $59.99 still buys a huge game.
3. Forza Horizon 5
Playground Games' 2021 open-world racer, $59.99 but included with Game Pass, holds a 92 Metacritic and is an Xbox showcase.
Set in a recreated Mexico, it lets you drive hundreds of real licensed cars across deserts, jungles, and cities with smooth online play. The world is dense with events and runs at 4K/60 on Series X.
Third place reflects the best open-world driving game on Xbox, with constant free and paid content updates.
4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red's RPG, $49.99 for the Complete Edition and often $9.99 on sale, runs on Series X via the free Next-Gen update with ray tracing and 60 frames per second.
Two huge maps and over 100 hours of content with the genre's best side quests. The Xbox version benefits from faster loading and visual upgrades.
Fourth place honors a timeless open world that, at $9.99 on sale, is the cheapest great option on the console.
5. Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar's 2018 open-world Western, $59.99 and often $19.99 on sale, holds a 97 Metacritic and runs with Series X enhancements.
Its frontier map spans five fictional states with a 50-hour story and unmatched world detail, from dynamic weather to NPC memory. The Series X improves frame rate stability.
Fifth place rewards the most immersive open world on Xbox, with deliberate pacing that prizes atmosphere.
6. Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Ubisoft's 2020 Viking RPG, $59.99 and routinely $15 on sale, offers one of the largest maps here, with a main story near 60 hours.
You raid and settle across England as Eivor, building a base and forging alliances. The Series X version runs at 4K/60.
Sixth place rewards a content-dense open world that, at sale prices, delivers exceptional per-dollar value.
7. Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt Red's RPG, $59.99 and often $29.99 on sale, runs well on Series X after the 2.0 update and supports the Phantom Liberty expansion ($29.99).
Night City is a dense vertical open world with a 25-to-40-hour main story and branching endings. The Series X offers ray-traced and performance modes.
Seventh place reflects a strong recovery; the current build is the polished city RPG it was meant to be.
8. Hogwarts Legacy
Avalanche's 2023 wizarding-school RPG, $59.99 and often $29.99 on sale, holds an 84 Metacritic and was a major 2023 seller.
Set in the 1800s, it lets you attend classes, learn spells, and explore Hogwarts and the Highlands across a 30-to-40-hour story. The castle is a technical showpiece on Series X.
Eighth place honors the most faithful Harry Potter open world, smooth and detailed on the console.
9. Sea of Thieves
Rare's 2018 pirate adventure, $39.99 but included with Game Pass, holds a strong reputation after years of updates and is an Xbox flagship.
Its shared open-world ocean lets crews sail, fight, and hunt treasure together, with constant seasonal content. It shines in co-op with friends.
Ninth place rewards the best multiplayer open world on Xbox, free to Game Pass subscribers.
10. Avowed
Obsidian's 2025 first-person fantasy RPG, $69.99 but included with Game Pass, holds strong reception as a focused open-zone RPG set in the Pillars of Eternity world.
It blends magic-and-melee combat with choice-driven quests across handcrafted regions, running 25-plus hours. As an Xbox-first title it is optimized for the Series consoles.
It rounds out the list as a newer first-party open-zone RPG, narrowly tenth on its more compact scope but strong reactivity.
How to Choose
- For the best exploration RPG, buy Elden Ring; Series X runs it at a smooth 60 frames.
- For the most value as a subscriber, Starfield, Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, and Avowed are all on Game Pass.
- For cinematic immersion, Red Dead Redemption 2 leads.
- On a budget under $20, The Witcher 3 or Assassin's Creed Valhalla on sale deliver huge worlds cheaply.
- For co-op open worlds, Sea of Thieves is the standout.
- For licensed franchise fans, Hogwarts Legacy is the most faithful adaptation.
FAQ
Which of these open-world games are free with Xbox Game Pass?
Starfield, Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, and Avowed are all included with Xbox Game Pass at no extra cost. Microsoft first-party titles typically launch directly into the service, making Game Pass the best value path for Xbox open-world fans.
Do these games run better on Series X than Series S?
Yes. The Series X targets 4K and higher frame rates, while the Series S runs at lower resolutions, usually 1080p to 1440p. Both play every title here, but demanding games like Elden Ring and Starfield look sharpest on the Series X.
What is the cheapest great open-world game on Xbox?
The Witcher 3 Complete Edition frequently drops to $9.99 and offers over 100 hours, making it the best low-cost buy. Assassin's Creed Valhalla at around $15 on sale is another strong budget pick for sheer volume.
Are any of these Xbox exclusives?
Starfield, Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, and Avowed are Microsoft first-party titles that lead on Xbox and PC. Elden Ring, The Witcher 3, and Red Dead Redemption 2 are multiplatform and also available on other systems.
Bottom Line
For the best open-world game on Xbox Series X|S in 2027, Elden Ring at $59.99 (often $39.99 on sale) is the top overall pick, running smoothly with the genre's best exploration. For the best value, Starfield is included free with Xbox Game Pass, giving subscribers a sprawling space RPG at no added cost.
Sources
- Metacritic — Xbox scores for Elden Ring, Forza Horizon 5, and Starfield
- The Game Awards — 2022 Game of the Year result
- Xbox Store and Xbox Game Pass — current pricing and subscription contents
- Microsoft and Bethesda — first-party release details
- CD Projekt Red and Rockstar — official patch and edition information
- IGN and Pure Xbox — Xbox reviews and Game Pass coverage
- Digital Foundry — Series X and Series S performance analysis