So you pre-ordered your Xbox One months ago, eagerly hoping for a Day One edition. The console is due to arrive at your door this Friday and perhaps you’ve even got a bundled game or two. Obviously you’re going to want to show off to your family and friends, so which games are going to be there on day one to make the most of your new console’s powerful hardware and top-notch graphics?
There are 22 games to choose from at launch, offering everything from racing to sports to shoot-em-ups and even Zumba (yeah, really). Many are existing franchises which have been amped up for next-gen, though there are also some exclusive Xbox One-only titles in the mix to get excited about.
If you’re looking to pick up a game or two to go with your Xbox One this Friday then look no further than these 5 brilliant launch titles.
Forza Motorsport 5
Forza has become a staple launch title for Microsoft’s Xbox consoles and ever since Forza Motorsport arrived as the original racing game on the Xbox in 2005, it’s evolved into a graphically beautiful and intense game that’s always worth buying. Now in its fifth iteration, Forza looks better than ever before with incredible realism and a garage of cars that’s bursting at the seams.
From tuning up your McLaren MP4-12C to within an inch of its life to flying through the historical streets of Prague, this is definitely THE title to show off the Xbox One’s graphical prowess. Plus, if you’re lucky enough to bag a Day One edition of the game, you’ll get the 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera, 2010 Audi TT RS Coupe and the 2013 Ford Focus ST as a bonus to race with.
Ryse: Son of Rome
Hailing from Crytek Studios, the makers of the excellent Far Cry series, Ryse is set in Roman times and follows the story of Marius Titus, a young roman soldier who seeks revenge for the murder of his family. As you play as Marius you fight to rise (or maybe Ryse) through the ranks to become a true leader of men.
Featuring slash-filled battle scenes and epic scenery from Roman day Italy, Ryse: Son of Rome is definitely a title to pick up if you want something action-packed but without the guns and modern-day themes of Battlefield 4 and Call of Duty: Ghosts. It also integrates nicely with Kinect, allowing you to bark voice commands to control your army of angry romans and lead them into battle.
NBA 2K14
EA Sports franchises are tricky ones to recommend. If you’re not into football then you’re not going to buy FIFA, and likewise if you’re not a fan of basketball, the latest NBA title probably won’t be on your wishlist. However, this year’s NBA game should definitely get a spin in your Xbox One because quite simply, it’s hard to watch the game being played and tell immediately whether it’s in-game or real life.
Just take a look at the game demo above – the gleaming court, reflections and very real collision engine make this game look like the real deal on Xbox One. Historically we’re very much FIFA fans here at Gadget Helpline and we can’t tell our alley-oops from our slam dunks, but having seen gameplay footage a while back, we’ll be taking on LeBron James on the court this Friday.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes
This one almost wasn’t a launch title, being delayed but finally confirmed as a November 22nd release just a few days ago. Not everyone is a sports fan and shoot-em-ups aren’t family friendly, which is where this latest Lego title comes in and brings the fun. Of course, cartoon animation isn’t going to wow quite as much as photo realism in the likes of Ryse: Son of Rome or Battlefield 4, but still the graphics are super sharp and very much worthwhile of Microsoft’s new console.
The tie-in with Marvel makes for an action-packed game in the classic Lego style, featuring famous characters-turned-yellow-plastic including Thor, The Incredible Hulk and The Thing from The Fantastic Four. This is definitely one for kids and adults alike.
Dead Rising 3
Like Forza 5, this is another title exclusive to the Xbox One on launch day. We thought about Battlefield 4 and Call of Duty: Ghosts, but they’re already out on other consoles – if you don’t own an Xbox One then you’re not playing Dead Rising 3, unless you have a generous friend or family member. If you’ve played one of the two previous DR titles then you’ll already have the gist of this new title – kill zombies, break stuff, enjoy immense fun, run!
In this third iteration of the zombie-infested slashathon, you play a chap by the name of Nick Ramos, a mechanic trying to battle his way out of the infected and soon to be nuked (a good old nuke solves all problems) city of Los Perdidos. Dead Rising 2 brought the ability to combine weapons and the now we get the joy of vehicle combos and even more crazy hybrid weapons. The best bit? Yell at zombies using Kinect and they’ll react, often distracted by looking in the wrong direction whilst you mow them down with a circular saw strapped onto a sledgehammer handle. Bang.
NBA 2K14 video courtesy of IGN.