2016 isn't over yet, but here's a look back at the best games released so far, right before the fall-winter games rush.
Heavy hitters like Gears of War 4, Battlefield 1 and Dishonored 2 are likely to make huge dents in this list, but it's always good to look back at the road to how we got here. Here's a list of the best Xbox One games by genre so far. We'll update this list again later in the year to reflect the latest releases and include new genres.
Must Play
The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 is one of the most acclaimed games ever made, taking place in a huge open-world densely packed with incentives to explore, secrets to uncover and stories to unravel. The Witcher 3 is as action-packed as they come, interweaved with a darkly mature plot, choice and consequences, and a virtual world teeming with life. The game has been continuously updated and refined since its launch, adding new features for free in addition to large expansions that heap value on top of its solid foundation. The Witcher 3 is completely unmissable.
Bottom line: The Witcher 3 is the quintessential must-play Xbox One game of this generation for its value, depth of play and sheer quality.
Runners up:Halo 5 | Forza Horizon 3 | XCOM 2 | INSIDE | DOOM | Ori and the Blind Forest
Best Online Shooter
Halo 5
Halo 5 is without a doubt, THE best multiplayer shooter on Xbox One so far. The viciously competitive Halo 5 revives aspects of previous games while building on the formula in a big way. Beyond classic Arena modes, Warzone combines all of Halo's elements into large-scale, hectic team battles. 343i have been issuing free content drops on a regular basis, adding new modes, new maps, and new features. Player-created content through Halo 5's powerful Forge has also ensured the game's longevity way after it's launch date.
Bottom line: Few online shooters are as polished, feature-rich and stable as Halo 5's Azure-powered online mode.
Runners up:Overwatch | Rainbow Six Siege | Battlefield 4 | Star Wars: Battlefront | Destiny
Best Campaign Shooter
DOOM
DOOM is a reboot of the classic series developed by id Software. After many delays, DOOM emerged from the depths of development hell and took everybody by surprise, delivering the greatest shooter campaign of this generation so far. Unashamedly violent and gory, DOOM riffs on the classic, fast-paced formula, atop some modern flare, a nightmarish art direction, and a fist-poundingly awesome soundtrack. DOOM has a sense of purity often lost in modern shooters, and I simply can't recommend it enough.
Bottom line: DOOM revives the classic shooter format, proving that some old-school concepts are utterly timeless.
Runners up:Wolfenstein: The New Order | Metro Redux | Gears of War: Ultimate Edition | Bioshock: The Collection
Best Racer
Forza Horizon 3
Forza Horizon 3 delivers the most cohesive racing experience on the Xbox One. With hundreds of cars and a dynamic open world, the game amalgamates the finest components of its predecessors into a refined and invigorating package. Putting unparalleled customization and possibility in the hands of the player, Forza Horizon 3 is a perfection of the racing genre.
Bottom line: Packed with a strong roster of cars, a living world, and endless possibilities; Forza Horizon 3 is Microsoft's ultimate racing experience.
Runners up:Forza Motorsport 6 | Project Cars | Trials Fusion | Dirt Rally
Open World
Fallout 4
Fallout 4 is the latest installment in Bethesda's post-apocalyptic RPG series, and it is quite arguably the best open world game available on Xbox One. With its rich RPG systems, improved shooting mechanics, deep settlement construction engine and console-exclusive Xbox One mods, you'll struggle to see everything Fallout 4 has to offer.
Bottom line: Fallout 4 is a rich and rewarding open-world RPG that will provide dozens, potentially hundreds of hours of gameplay.
Runners up:Mad Max | Dying Light | Shadow of Mordor | Grand Theft Auto V | Sunset Overdrive
Graphic Adventure
Life is Strange
Life is Strange took the world by storm a couple of years back for its dramatic tale of friendship and high-school intrigue finished with a healthy dose of the supernatural. Life is Strange follows a murder conspiracy in a small town, calling on inspiration from the likes of the X-Files and Twin Peaks. It's one of the most moving stories available on Xbox One today, and it's one game everyone should experience.
Bottom line: Life is Strange is an unmissable story-driven adventure game that gives the greatest TV mysteries a run for their money.
Runners up:The Wolf Among Us | Oxenfree | Firewatch
Horror
The Evil Within
The Evil Within is the brainchild of Resident Evil creator, Shinji Mikami. It's brutal art direction, punishing gameplay and harrowing atmosphere puts it at the top of the pile when it comes to modern survival horror. Guide veteran cop Sebastian Castellanos through an old-school, science-fiction nightmare and rediscover why Shinji Mikami is one of horror's greatest creators.
Bottom line: The Evil Within goes old-school in more ways than one, calling on classic horror tropes in both movies and games to create something terrifyingly special.
Runners up:Alien Isolation | Resident Evil HD | Outlast
RPG
Dragon Age Inquisition
As we've showcased the hybrid RPG The Witcher 3 as the overall "Must Play" Xbox One title so far, but Dragon Age Inquisition's RPG mechanics are more typical of the classic genre. Before The Witcher 3 launched, BioWare dropped the latest installment in the Dragon Age franchise: Inquisition. Its branching narrative, diverse, tactical combat, character customization, class progression and consequence-driven plot edges other RPGs into the runner-up spot.
Dragon Age Inquisition follows the tale of the Inquisitor as he or she attempts to cobble together an army to withstand the threat of an ancient evil.
Bottom line: Dragon Age Inquisition is the most expansive in the series, taking place across several large areas complete with tons of opportunities to explore and grow. Dragon Age Inquisition is a must-play for any Xbox One RPG fan.
Runners up:Deus Ex Mankind Divided | Divinity: Original Sin | Wasteland 2 | Fallout 4 | The Witcher 3 | Dark Souls III | Child of Light
Kinect
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die
Dark Dreams Don't Die or "D4" for short, is a wild and wacky Kinect adventure from the creator of the cult classic Deadly Premonition. Utilizing intuitive, responsive and highly interactive (but optional) Kinect controls, players guide Detective David Young through a mysterious time-travel adventure to save his beloved from death.
Bottom line: D4 is a high-quality Kinect title that more than makes a case for the neglected peripheral. Hidetaka Suehiro's unique style accentuates every level of play, making D4 an experience you won't soon forget.
Runner up:FRU | Blue Estate | Fantasia: Music Evolved | Commander Cherry
For Kids
Minecraft
Did you expect anything else?! Minecraft is a phenomenon that led Microsoft to drop billions to secure the franchise back in 2014. Since launch, the game has grown far beyond its humble Java beginnings, spawning several large updates, and even an educational version. Minecraft will also begin exposing its code soon, allowing users to create their own add-ons with tools as simple as Notepad and MS Paint.
Bottom line: For an entire generation of youngsters, Minecraft will be among the first games they truly loved. Minecraft continues to be a runaway success story, likely here to stay.
Runners up:Lego: Dimensions | Skylanders SuperChargers | Overcooked | Terraria | Castle Crashers
Action-Adventure
Quantum Break
Action-Adventure is a broad genre that encompasses all sorts of titles that don't quite fit into a more specific category. Quantum Break isn't quite a shooter, as the majority of your combat hinges on the heavy use of time-warping powers that spew gorgeous special effects across every surface, and the fabric of reality itself. Quantum Break is one of the only titles on Xbox One that utilizes live-action cutscenes, which play out like high-quality modern TV show episodes in between levels.
Bottom line: Visceral combat, breath-taking visuals and Remedy's signature unique story-telling make Quantum Break our unmissable Action-Adventure Xbox One title.
Runners up:Rise of the Tomb Raider | Sniper Elite III | Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag | Assassin's Creed Syndicate | RYSE: Son of Rome | Thief | Hitman | Dishonored Definitive Edition
Puzzler
INSIDE
INSIDE is among the most critically acclaimed games on Xbox One for its meticulously polished gameplay, ravenously dark plot and fiendish puzzles that are just as likely to warp your mind as the game's shocking ending.
Bottom line: INSIDE is from the creators of LIMBO, and is every bit as haunting. This is one game everybody on Xbox One has to experience.
Runners up:The Turing Test | Kalimba | Valiant Hearts: The Great War | Flockers | Unravel | Oddworld: New n' Tasty | SUPERHOT
Survival
The Flame in the Flood
The Flame in the Flood is the product of a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign from former developers of Bioshock. The Flame in the Flood is a survival roguelite with an emphasis on treacherous river traveling. Guide Scout and her trusty canine companion Aesop on a dangerous survival trek in a post-societal America.
Bottom line: The Flame in the Flood tasks even the hardiest survival fans with careful management of resources, health and more, and it also has one of the greatest video game soundtracks ever.
Runner up:State of Decay: Year One Survival Edition | ARK: Survival Evolved | We Happy Few | The Long Dark
Co-op
Divinity: Original Sin
Divinity Original Sin is a turn-based RPG with old-school sensibilities. It is also the number one co-op experience available on Xbox One. Playable both online and offline in split-screen, Divinity Original Sin allows two players to experience the game's dangerous medieval world and partake in satisfyingly tactical turn-based RPG battles. Both characters can even participate in the game's light-hearted conversations and even disagree on different decisions, often leading to hilarious consequences.
Bottom line: Exploring a CRPG world in co-op is as close to the real Dungeons and Dragons you can get on Xbox One, putting Divinity: Original Sin at the top of the pile.
Runner up:Gears of War: Ultimate Edition | Borderlands: The Handsome Collection | Diablo III: Reaper of Souls | Castle Crashers | Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Strategy and Simulation
XCOM 2
XCOM 2 isn't just one of the best strategy and simulation games on Xbox One. It's one of the best games, period. XCOM 2 tasks players with the construction and management of a guerrilla force attempting to rescue humanity from the clutches of a malevolent alien presence. Gear up and blast your way through dozens and dozens of hours of procedurally generated strategic turn-based battles, which reward quick wits as much as careful planning.
Bottom line: XCOM 2 is one of the most addictive and satisfying games on the market fans of strategy games should not ignore.
Runner up:Prison Architect | Elite Dangerous | Sheltered | The Escapists
Platformer
Ori and the Blind Forest
Ori and the Blind Forest is the greatest platformer in an entire generation, and it's available exclusively on Xbox One and Windows 10. Guide the impossibly cute Ori through a gorgeous hand-drawn world complete with extremely challenging platforming and a beautifully woven story.
Bottom line: Ori and the Blind Forest is a moving, rewarding and beautiful game every Xbox owner should experience.
Runner up:ReCore | Shadow Complex Remastered | Shovel Knight | Shantae and the Pirate's Curse | Axiom Verge
Sports
Rocket League
Rocket League combines high-octane cart racing with physics-based soccer rules to create something truly addictive. Two teams of up to four cars must race to score as many goals as possible in a set time limit, literally driving the ball into the opposing team's goal. Boost, rocket jump and drive on the arena walls — all tactics are valid in Rocket League.
Bottom line: Rocket League is a great value purchase for sports fans of all kinds. Constant free updates help keep the game fresh, thanks to its cosmetic micro-transactions.
Runners up:Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 | FIFA 17 | NBA 2K17 | Madden 2017
Fighting
Killer Instinct
Pioneering Xbox Play Anywhere, Killer Instinct was the first title that allowed your purchases to roam between Xbox One and Windows 10. Killer Instinct is a revival of Rare's classic fighter from the 90s. The combo-heavy fighting game enjoys an active player base with several large seasonal updates. If you're an Xbox One owner into fighting games, you probably own this game already.
Bottom line: Killer Instinct has a large roster, a maddeningly addictive combat engine and some of the best network infrastructure seen in the genre.
Runner up:Mortal Kombat X | Dead or Alive 5
Backward Compatible
Red Dead Redemption
News that Red Dead Redemption was being tested for backward compatibility sent sales of the game skyrocketing earlier in 2016. The game launched a few months later to a riotous celebration and proved that the Xbox 360 game had aged incredibly well. Guide John Marston through a disappearing Wild West in what is easily the greatest cowboy game ever made, from the creators of Grand Theft Auto.
Bottom line: Red Dead Redemption is one of the best open world games ever made. Everyone must play.
Runner up:XCOM: Enemy Within | Call of Duty: World at War | Alan Wake | Dead Space | Deus Ex: Human Revolution | Halo Wars | The Witcher 2
Best overall
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
In closing, The Witcher 3 remains the best game available on Xbox One overall. Its attention to detail, excellent writing, enchanting visuals, and polished gameplay systems make it a joy to play start to finish. CD Projekt RED are an example to be followed for every other major player in the industry. Their pro-consumer approach has led to nearly constant free updates since launch, in addition to two major, high-value expansions that extend the title's value even further.
Bottom line: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an open-world action RPG that has to be experienced to be believed.
One more thing: CD Projekt RED are hard at work on Cyberpunk 2077, an action RPG set in a noir sci-fi universe. If it's anywhere near the quality of The Witcher 3, we're in for a treat.
Now it's your turn
There are hundreds of great Xbox One games out there, far too many to list in a single place. Are there any games or categories you think are missing from this list? What are your favorite games? Are there any winners above you'd personally change? Start the discussion below!