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The Best of Xbox

2014 has been an eventful year for gamers of all genres, and there is a real sense that Microsoft has finally found their stride with Xbox One. Starting the year off with Titanfall and continuing with a strong run of first-party exclusives and third-party games, Xbox One now has a lower price point this holiday season with a number of bundles to get you started.

If you're a new Xbox One owner or just looking for some games you may have missed, here we have a rundown of some of the platform's best games.

Sunset Overdrive

One of the year's nicest surprises, Sunset Overdrive is an Xbox One exclusive from Insomniac Games, the developers behind Ratchet & Clank and Spyro the Dragon. The game's punk rock stylings may not be for everyone, but its gameplay is top notch with a wide variety of creative weapons (our personal favourite is the unassuming yet powerful TNTeddy) and traversal options. The city is overrun by humans mutated by a powerful energy drink (but of course), and it's up to you to play hero. Rarely have we played a game so humorous and self-aware that still manages to be fun. An easy must-have, and a system showcase for any new Xbox One owner.

Forza Horizon 2

Another Xbox One exclusive finds you driving through the roads of France and Italy…wait, that's not quite accurate. Sure, you can take the roads, but the amazing thing about Forza Horizon 2 is how open the world is compared to other racing games out there. See that fence protecting that vineyard? Yup, let's smash through that to gain a few seconds while traveling to our next destination. Forza Horizon 2 is probably the best looking Xbox One game to date, and the best looking and playing racing game on any platform this year. Absolutely gorgeous.

Dragon Age Inquisition

Dragon Age Inquisition offers a beautiful third instalment of a venerable series, featuring a huge, breathtaking world, an epic story, and choices that leaves a significant mark on the world around you. The main quest offers an engaging experience, with ample side quests that will divert your attention in all the right ways. Multiplayer also has great moments, with a loot system that offers unpredictability and a lot of replay value. Dragon Age Inquisition also has a lot of DLC planned that should keep the game very fresh for a long time, but the core game is long enough that you will find yourself immersed for a long time to come.

Titanfall

Gamers may forget that this gem came out earlier this year as an Xbox One (and PC) exclusive, but it bears repeating: Titanfall is one of the best games to have come out this year. Created by Respawn and some of the minds behind the best Call of Duty games, Titanfall takes that style of shooting gameplay into the future with huge mechs that change the landscape of the battle. Each map is thought out for smaller, soldier-based combat and the larger, full-scale battles between the building-sized mechs. It looks hectic but it all makes sense, and it comes together as one of the most innovative and fun shooters we've played in years.

Master Chief Collection

If you have an Xbox One, you're most likely a Halo fan, and while this first-party exclusive has been subject to some controversy tied to its online matchmaking system, Master Chief Collection is still a must-own. Halo: Master Chief Collection includes Halo, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 4, all of which have been either remastered or faithfully recreated with brand new graphical engines that breathe new life into these classics. Even if multiplayer is still on shaky ground, the single-player options are well worth a purchase, especially when you consider the Halo 5 beta access that you will receive for free.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

We are usually fans of the Call of Duty series, but last year's Call of Duty Ghosts left us wanting more. Thankfully, this year's Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare delivers in some huge ways. First of all, the single-player campaign is the most intense one we have played since Battlefield 4, and one of the best that Call of Duty has ever offered. The inclusion of Kevin Spacey as the villain adds a lot of weight to the game's story, and it lives up to the series legacy. As for multiplayer, the game offers addictive maps and options that make this a must-have for any Call of Duty veteran.