Christmas is right around the corner and some of you may be undecided when it comes to purchasing that must have Xbox One game. Since launch day the COG crew have been hard at work reviewing nearly all the Xbox One games. We felt it might be a good idea to compile a list of the Xbox One games that delivered the highest review scores. This list should help narrow down your choice this holiday season. Enjoy!
1.) FIFA 14 (Xbox One) Review
Score: 90
https://cogconnected.com/review/fifa-14-xbox-one-review-a-must-own-for-a-fifa-fan-period/
The EA Sports FIFA franchise has had a pretty good run in recent years. Sales have been strong, it’s been getting stellar review scores and the fan base is massive. This year is no different. Both the current generation and now the next generation installments of the franchise are rock solid. FIFA 14 for the Xbox One is quite simply an impressive launch game. The enhanced visuals make for a game that comes alive and for the first time in recent memory I truly felt like I was “in the game”. There is some room for growth but there is no question this FIFA game is about the best we could have hoped for with an EA Sports launch title.
2.) Call of Duty Ghosts (Xbox One) Review
Score: 88
https://cogconnected.com/review/call-of-duty-ghosts-xbox-one-review-no-1080p-no-problem/
If you had to pick up just one game on your brand new Xbox One this holiday season, Call of Duty Ghosts is a rock solid choice. By in large, it is the same game as it is on the Xbox 360; however, the more vibrant visuals and the ability to play up to 18-players online tips the scales in favor of the next generation version of the game. The single player campaign is short but the Multiplayer, Squad and Extinction Modes more than make up for any of Ghosts shortcomings. When we look back 5-years from now, Ghosts won’t be the best Call of Duty game on the Xbox One but we should be able to look back and consider it a damn good launch game.
3.) Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Xbox One) Review
Score: 85
With as many games as there are on the Assassin’s Creed roster every new game risks over-saturation, but Black Flag brings enough new elements to keep the gameplay fresh. No matter the debate about which new console looks better, Black Flag looks terrific on the Xbox One and plays just as good as it looks. This game certainly turned me in to a fan.
4.) Forza Motorsport 5 (Xbox One) Review
Score: 85
There is no doubt that Forza Motorsport 5 is a great driving game, as the physics are insanely real, the new haptic triggers add to the immersion, the cars look, sound and handle amazingly, and there are some deep customization features; however, all of this takes a knock from the decrease in game content including less tracks, no auction house, and a smaller roster of cars to name a few. The decrease in tracks is a painful one as racing can become repetitive. That being said, I can’t help but think back to the power of the Xbox One and how the new drivatar AI system is so well integrated, the aforementioned physics, and the visuals as a whole, it’s all a testament to Microsoft’s new console and vision. In the end this game could have indeed been a bit more, but what is there is damn good and driving fans will be impressed that is for sure. Make no bones about it, Forza Motorsport 5 should be a game that you should definitely consider when buying your shiny new Xbox One.
5.) Madden NFL 25 (Xbox One) Review
Score: 85
When you take into consideration what has likely been a small window of time to develop the game on the Xbox One, Madden NFL 25 is an impressive feat. Not only does it look significant better than its little brother on the current generation systems, Madden 25 on the Xbox One seems more authentic and more true to life. Not to mention those painfully long load times and other glitches that continue to plague the game on the Xbox 360 are gone. If you own Madden 25 on current generation systems, you could wait until next year but that could also be a mistake as Madden 25 on the Xbox One feels like a considerable leap over the current generation game. It may be the biggest leap we have seen in the franchise yet.
Honorable Mention: Xbox Fitness (Xbox One) Review
Score: 85
Scoring Xbox Fitness was a challenge for me. There’s no denying the quality of content here or the lure of putting a score towards how well you did in your workout, but it is still a little too early in Xbox Fitness’ life cycle to pass final judgement of the concept as a whole. The business model beyond the free trial year for Gold members has yet to be shared but I love the concept. It might not be perfect but this is probably the most underrated “next-gen” feature I’ve seen on the new consoles. Xbox Fitness succeeds in “gamifying” its workouts like no fitness game before it.
