The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S have recently celebrated their first birthday. Although console shortages, scalpers, and effects of the pandemic have made it a tricky start for the ninth generation of home consoles, Microsoft’s system has still enjoyed plenty of success in its first year. Along with the sharp rise of Game Pass, the Xbox Series X/S are also starting to receive some major console selling releases, including Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infinite.
Game Pass and major IP releases may have been the highlights for the Xbox Series X/S in its first year, though the consoles have also amassed an impressive catalog of low-priced games that let people experience next-gen gaming at a reasonable price. To shine a spotlight on some of the best Xbox Series X/S games available for under $20 (not including free games or those on temporary discounts), here are some great options.
7 Human: Fall Flat
It is usually essential that puzzle games have clearly defined mechanics and definitive solutions to create an experience that feels balanced and fair. Human: Fall Flat, however, puts players in control of a character that can’t even seem to walk in a straight line like a drunk person stumbling out of a bar and tasks them with completing puzzles that have multiple solutions.
This may sound like a hot mess on paper, though Human: Fall Flat offers a surprisingly solid puzzle-platform experience that will have players laughing as they struggle to solve the physics-based puzzles.
6 Minecraft Dungeons
Minecraft Dungeons is a dungeon-crawling spin-off to the immensely popular sandbox game Minecraft.
The game received a mixed reception initially, as its short campaign and lack of open-world disappointed much of Minecraft’s pre-existing fanbase, who felt that it removed two of the IP’s core features. The game had fairly lackluster reviews from critics, though this shouldn’t deter people who like the sound of the dungeon-crawler, as fans of the genre will find plenty to love about the budget game, particularly its cooperative features, puzzles, and bosses.
5 Call of the Sea
Call of the Sea is an adventure-puzzle game that was developed by Out of the Blue. The game will appeal to fans of classic adventure games like Myst and The Secret of Monkey Island while also offering beautiful modern visuals.
Call of the Sea was praised by fans and critics for its story and setting that have distinct H.P. Lovecraft vibes, though some were critical of the game’s puzzle designs that fail to live up to other modern puzzle-adventure games like The Witnessand The Talos Principle.
4 Death’s Door
Death’s Door was developed by Acid Nerve and soon drew comparisons to Dark Souls and The Legend of Zelda, which would be a huge compliment if the pair of games weren’t compared to hundreds of titles every year. However, Death’s Door is one of the few games that deserves the comparisons, as the action-adventure game offers a wonderfully designed adventure with beautiful yet somber art, enjoyable puzzles, and engaging boss fights.
Death’s Door only takes around 7 hours to beat, but it is still an absolute steal at its current price range for the memorable adventure that it provides. The game is one of the Xbox Series X’s most critically-acclaimed titles, with a current Metascore of 87.
3 Worms Rumble
Worms Rumble is the latest entry in the long-running Worms series. The series started all the way back in 1995 and has kept many of its core mechanics intact since, which speaks volumes to the quality of the original game.
Worms Rumble, however, is a spin-off to the main series that replaces the quintessential turn-based combat with real-time action. Reviewers were critical of the game’s simplicity and lack of tactical gameplay, though for anyone looking for some casual, light-hearted fun, Worms Rumble is great value for money.
2 Yes, Your Grace
Yes, Your Grace was first released on PC in March 2020, before releasing on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and eventually Xbox Series X in the months that followed. The game was developed by Brave at Night and puts players in control of a King who must make various choices for the betterment of his kingdom.
The game’s slow, methodical pace will be offputting for some, but the game’s impactful decisions offer a level of depth to the game that many won’t expect when first picking it up, similar to the 2013 game Papers, Please.
1 The Artful Escape
The Artful Escape was developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur and was recently released on the 9th of September, 2021. The game is a story-driven platformer that stands out with its presentation, thanks to the game’s gorgeous visuals that are bursting with color, unique character models, and a wonderful soundtrack that collectively make The Artful Escape one of the most impressive next-gen experiences currently on the Xbox Series X/S.
Beethoven & Dinosaur’s game was well-received by critics, scoring 81 on Metacritic for Xbox Series X.
