Certain genres are simply designed for competitive play. Fighting games, first-person shooters, and MOBAs entice players to jump online and take on the world. Along with a lot of frustration and the occasional shattered headset or controller, the competitive scene also produces fleeting moments of pure satisfaction. Those instances when a hard-fought battle culminates in a stunning final act that rewards dedication with a victory. Considering Microsoft’s brand helped popularize online play on consoles, it is hardly surprising that theXbox Onehas its share of great multiplayer titles.
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What areMetacritic’s highest-rated Xbox One gamesthat have a competitive scene? To qualify, a title’s online must be considered competitive and reasonably active. For example,DOOM Eternal’s multiplayer is entertaining but not suitable for this discussion. Entries in a franchise that have been superseded multiple times over, such asFIFA 14andNBA 2K17, will also not be considered.
10Fortnite (85)
Epic Games’Fortnitewalks the line between casual and competitive play, and it is successful in both areas. Battle royale games are designed to be easy to grasp but difficult to master, but experienced players definitely have an advantage over newcomers to the genre.
Fortnitepits 100 players against each other in the ultimate fight for survival. Featuring straight-forward but decent third-person shooter gameplay,a fun building mechanic, and enough loot to justify taking risks,Fortniteis an enjoyable (and cheap) way to spend a couple of hours or months.
9Halo: The Master Chief Collection (85)
Halo: The Master Chief Collectiongot off to a very rocky start, with the online scene being unplayable for some users. While this package is still not perfect, andHalo 5: Guardiansmight even have the edge when it comes to its multiplayer,Halo: The Master Chief Collectionhas improved considerably and offers a way to experience one of the most influential competitive FPS franchises of all time.
The multiplayer is still quite active, so this is worth giving a try for those looking to re-experience the good old days or newcomers to theHaloseries.
8Forza Motorsport 7 (86)
Although not the best entry in the franchise,Forza Motorsport7is nevertheless one of the best sim racers on the Xbox One.Forza Horizon 4is arguably the more entertaining game, but its arcade gameplay is not a great fit for a ranking system; however, the same cannot be said forForza Motorsport 7.
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While its glory days ended when the official seasons concluded,Forza Motorsport 7’s public lobbies are still alive and there is also the option of private leagues.
7Mortal Kombat 11 (86)
Fighting games tend to dominate the discourse when it comes to competitive play, and this console generation has produced some solid stuff. While titles likeStreet Fighter VandMarvel vs. Capcom: Infinitehave disappointed,Tekken 7andSoulCalibur VIproved to be worthwhile additions to the genre. It should also be said thatStreet Fighter Vhas a strong online presence and player base,even if its single-player content is not deserving of a second look.
As the successor to the fantasticMortal Kombat X, NetherRealm Studios' 2019 sequel features the strongest combat system in the franchise.Mortal Kombat 11slows things down by eliminating the run button to stress the importance of approaching matches strategically.
6Dragon Ball FighterZ (86)
With the exception ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate,Dragon Ball FighterZhas a convincing case for being thecurrent generation’s most hyped fighting game. Arc System Works knows a thing or two about crafting visually-spectacular fighters, butDragon Ball FighterZalso benefits from being accessible and excellently balanced.
Fans of the Akira Toriyama’s manga and anime will surely love this stunning adaptation, butDragon Ball FighterZis not only for the initiated. It is a highly competitive fighting game that anyone can enjoy.
5Rocket League (87)
Generally, competitive games require hundreds of hours to truly master. Fighting games and MOBAs are especially notorious for being endless timesinks, as anyone looking to compete beyond casual matches will need to become intimately familiar with their chosen mains.
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Rocket Leaguefeels effortless,despite being quite competitive. It is the type of game that one might play when they have a few minutes to kill and no other title to boot. With precise controls, a gimmick that sounds silly on paper but works brilliantly in practice, and a huge player base,Rocket Leagueis a sensation.
4Apex Legends (88)
Out of EA’s many shooters on the Xbox One,Apex Legendsis the one deserving of the most attention. Respawn Entertainment followed up the overlookedTitanfall 2with a free-to-play battle royale that focuses on squads of three rather than the typical free-for-all.
Apex Legendsinjects an element of strategy and teamwork to a genre that seldom prioritizes either, crafting an FPS that is cutthroat but also accessible to newcomers. The Xbox One has manyfantastic shooters with active multiplayer scenes, butApex Legendsis something special.
An honorary mention goes toBattlefield 1, which sits with an 87 on Metacritic.
3Injustice 2 (89)
As it is already more than three years old and has been usurped by more recent fighters,Injustice 2is naturally no longer a hot commodity. Be that as it may, NetherRealm Studios' 2017 title holds up as a brilliant title that not only features a solid campaign but also robust online options.
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Competitive play is mostly limited to ranked matches and tournaments, which eliminate extra gear to ensure a level playing field.
2F1 2020 (91)
Be it theDiRTorGridseries, Codemasters has cornered the market when it comes toracing games. The studio’sF1titles have consistently delivered realistic experiences that should please fans of both the sport and sim racers.F1 2020might just be the best in the series, offering a new level of depth in both its single-player career and online multiplayer.
F1 2020requires a great deal of practice and racers are expected to perform “professionally,” so this is not a competitive title someone with barely any practice can just jump into.
1Overwatch (91)
Overwatchis difficult to recommend in this day and age since it is not especially welcoming to the inexperienced and matches tend to be unforgiving. Released in 2016, Blizzard Entertainment’s team-based shooter cemented itself as one of the defining multiplayer titles of its era and the most popular example of a “hero shooter.”
Even if the additional content is ignored,Overwatch’s roster is nevertheless fantastic and features many characters that have become icons in their own right. Permitting someone is willing to put in the time,Overwatchmight just be worth a look,especially since it will not be rendered obsolete once its sequel is released.
