Portal 2 2011
Why it still holds upA few simple tools that combine keep producing new puzzles, and the writing and characters carry them, so it still plays well today.
Xbox 360 games that still hold up
First released on the Xbox 360
Games
Portal 2 2011
Why it still holds upA few simple tools that combine keep producing new puzzles, and the writing and characters carry them, so it still plays well today.
Mass Effect 2 2010
Why it still holds upYour squad keeps it worth playing today: you spend time on your ship, the Normandy, learning their pasts and doing their optional missions, and those choices carry through to the end.
Grand Theft Auto V 2013
Why it still holds upToday the reward for your time is the detail: conversations while driving change if you repeat a mission, and the story takes about 30 hours.
Red Dead Redemption 2010
Why it still holds upThe restraint helps it now, since the world is full of life and your attention stays on varied, well designed missions.
On sale
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2011
Why it still holds upToday the freedom still carries it: after a linear introduction you can go anywhere, and side quests range from short errands to adventures as long as the main story.
On sale
Batman: Arkham City 2011
Why it still holds upEach enemy type asks for a different answer and gliding between fights keeps the pace up, which keeps it worth playing today.
On sale
Fallout: New Vegas 2010
Why it still holds upFaction choices that lock out other routes, and skills that open dialogue, still make your decisions count today.
Steins;Gate 2009
Why it still holds upThe writing and the cast keep it worth reading now: the story is detailed, and the voice acting carries the emotion even if you do not know Japanese.
Assassin's Creed II 2009
Why it still holds upFree running and a choice of how to handle each situation, with several ways past the guards, are the draw today, in a Renaissance Italy with an orchestral score.
BioShock 2007
Why it still holds upRapture remains a place worth exploring today: the setting and its people tell the story, and every character gives a new view of the city.
Portal 2007
Why it still holds upOne tool and its momentum rules open many solutions, and the humour and writing make you want to keep going, which is why it holds up today.
Dark Souls 2011
Why it still holds upPlayed now, exploring still pays: it turns up items, shortcuts and hidden areas, and the slow, precise combat almost never ends in a cheap death.
Mass Effect 2007
Why it still holds upYou shape Shepard's personality through the dialogue, and Paragon and Renegade points unlock more options as you go, which keeps the choices worth making now.
On sale
Dragon Age: Origins 2009
Why it still holds upIts world and its choices keep it worth playing now: many dilemmas have no clear good or evil side, so the decisions are yours to weigh.
On sale
BioShock Infinite 2013
Why it still holds upThe first hours let you wander Columbia at your own pace, and Elizabeth works as a partner in the fights, which keeps it enjoyable today.
Dead Space 2 2011
Why it still holds upIts atmosphere is why it still works: the lighting and the sound design keep you on edge from start to finish.
On sale
The Walking Dead 2012
Why it still holds upA story built around one relationship is why it still plays well: the voice acting carries it, and the choices come under time pressure.
On sale
Batman: Arkham Asylum 2009
Why it still holds upThe loop of combat and gadgets is why it still plays well: it joins gadgets, fighting and characterisation into a game about being Batman.
Dead Space 2008
Why it still holds upBecause the interface is in the world and the game never pauses, the Ishimura never lets you step away, which keeps it tense today.
Mass Effect 3 2012
Why it still holds upCarrying choices from game to game is the reason to play it today, in order from the first game.
On sale
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 2006
Why it still holds upIt is worth playing today for a world that treats the main quest as optional and puts side content throughout.
On sale
Dishonored 2012
Why it still holds upLevels with several ways in, and a world that reacts to how you played them, are the reason to play it today.
On sale
Halo 3 2007
Why it still holds upCo op for up to four and a map editor for your own multiplayer maps are the reason to play it now.
On sale
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain 2015
Why it still holds upWhat it still offers is a big sandbox where you choose how each infiltration goes, and where the base, the soldiers and the weapons you research feed into the next mission.
On sale
Alien: Isolation 2014
Why it still holds upThe Alien is driven by systems rather than scripts, and hiding, noise and scarce resources turn every room into a risk, which is the reason to play it today.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2007
Why it still holds upWhat it still offers is a tight campaign followed by a multiplayer loop of leveling and class building made to be replayed.
On sale
Deus Ex: Human Revolution 2011
Why it still holds upIt still rewards a visit for levels with several routes and fine environmental detail, and for its mix of stealth, combat and conversation.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted 2005
Why it still holds upPursuits that keep escalating, and a Blacklist to climb, are the reason to play it now.
On sale
Tales from the Borderlands 2014
Why it still holds upWriting and voice acting that balance comedy against drama in varied scenarios are the reason to play it now.
Braid 2008
Why it still holds upOne idea, rewinding time, with a fresh rule in each world, makes every mistake part of solving the puzzle, and that is the reason to play it now.
On sale
Borderlands 2 2012
Why it still holds upAn enormous range of guns and four class builds are the reason to replay it now, and co op scaling lets friends share the same quests.
On sale
Grand Theft Auto IV 2008
Why it still holds upToday it is still a satirical Liberty City full of radio, TV and side activities, with a story of conflicting choices.
South Park: The Stick of Truth 2014
Why it still holds upIt is built as a playable episode of the show, with the town explored as a real map and every fight framed as the kids' fantasy game, and that is the reason to play it now.
Far Cry 3 2012
Why it still holds upFive core systems, sneaking, shooting, driving, exploring and hunting, all feed the same leveling system, so the same encounter plays out differently depending on stealth, firepower and wildlife, and that is the reason to play it now.
On sale
Halo: Reach 2010
Why it still holds upLarge scale battles with many vehicles and varied mission types, plus Firefight and Forge, still give you ways to keep playing today.
On sale
Fallout 3 2008
Why it still holds upIf you play it now, it is for an open world whose exploration is optional and whose quests respond to different approaches.
Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag 2013
Why it still holds upThe open sea gives a loop distinct from the city based games, which makes it worth sailing today.
On sale
The Wolf Among Us 2013
Why it still holds upIt is a detective story built on conversation choices rather than reflexes, and that is why it is worth playing now.
Life Is Strange 2015
Why it still holds upBecause the rewind lets you test a choice before you commit to it, you can still experiment inside a game of choices and consequences today.
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood 2010
Why it still holds upRecruits to call in, a city you invest in and kills you can chain still make Rome a place you build up as you fight today.
Mark of the Ninja 2012
Why it still holds upWith every sound and sight line shown, stealth is still a matter of planning today.
Call of Duty 2 2005
Why it still holds upRegenerating health and checkpoints still make each firefight easy to retry today.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock 2007
Why it still holds upStrumming and fretting in time with the notes, with a multiplier that builds on a streak, still makes each song a test of timing today.
Team Fortress 2 2007
Why it still holds upNine classes with distinct strengths and weaknesses, and teams that need a mix of them, still make every match about who plays what today.
Gears of War 2 2008
Why it still holds upCover, a short list of weapons and a partner to revive still make each firefight a matter of positioning today.
Dragon Age: Inquisition 2014
Why it still holds upHub regions with optional content, and a Tactical View for harder fights, still let you set the pace of each region today.
Hitman: Blood Money 2006
Why it still holds upEach mission is an open space with several ways to reach the target, and a payout that rewards doing it cleanly still invites a second try today.
Bastion 2011
Why it still holds upA narrator who reacts to your path, loadout and retries, and idols that adjust the difficulty, still keep every system answering you today.