This Seeking Tech article will show you several first-party titles that you can download on your Xbox Series console for free. You don’t need to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass in order to play these games.
Crackdown
Crackdown comes from one of the creative minds behind the Grand Theft Auto series. It was the first title from Realtime Worlds, a studio that would go on to develop All Points Bulletin before getting shut down in 2010.
Crackdown is more action oriented when compared to GTA as you can jump and leap great distances. It is also more of an open-ended sandbox since you will be able to take on any objective from the start of the game.
You can also level up by picking up specific orbs from defeated enemies as well as finding orbs that are hidden in the map. Not to mention there is also two-player online co-op to go along with free DLC.
Crackdown was originally released in 2007 with a Metacritic rating of 83. It was made free in 2019 to help create buzz for Crackdown 3.
Crackdown 2
After the success of Crackdown, a few members of the original development team left Realtime Worlds to form Ruffian Games to develop Crackdown 2. The sequel is very similar to the original since it takes place in the same city.
It does differentiate itself by adding infected enemies to go along with the regular humans. The co-op mode has also been expanded to up to four players.
Crackdown 2 was originally released in 2010 with a Metacritic rating of 70. The sequel was criticized for being too similar to the first title while also being less polished.
Like the original, the sequel was made free in 2019 to promote Crackdown 3. You can also download the free DLC packs from the Microsoft Store.
Doritos Crash Course
Doritos Crash Course was the winner of the Unlock Xbox competition that was held all the way back in 2010. This Xbox Live Arcade title was developed by Wanako Games and Behaviour Interactive.
Your objective is to make your way through the obstacle course before time expires. In order to do so, you will need to run, slide and jump your way through traps and obstacles. Fortunately, the controls feel tight and responsive when you run through these courses to beat the time limit.
Doritos Crash Course was released as a free title back in 2010 although it does have a paid DLC pack. It has a respectable Metacritic rating of 74.
Fallout Shelter
Before becoming a first-party branch for Xbox in 2021, Bethesda released Fallout Shelter. It was also co-developed by the aforementioned Behaviour Interactive.
This simulation title lets you build and manage your own Vault. You will also be able to explore the wasteland in addition to protecting your base.
It was originally released as a mobile title before being ported over to the Xbox in 2017. Although it was free from the beginning, Fallout Shelter relies on a lot on microtransactions.
If you are a massive fan of the Fallout franchise, then you may still find some enjoyment from this spin-off release as it provides a different take when compared to the traditional RPG titles.
Fallout Shelter has a Metacritic rating of 71.
Harms Way
Harms Way is the runner up in the Unlock Xbox competition that was held in 2010. This racing title was developed by Bongfish, a studio that would go on to provide support in the development of Microsoft Flight Simulator.
In Harms Way, you can either play as the Driver or Shooter. As the driver, you have to finish the race in first place. As the shooter, your job is to take out any drivers you see with turrets that are littered throughout the map.
While racing can be fun as you will be dodging incoming fire from turrets, the shooter portion can be frustrating since it can be hard to hit a moving target.
Harms Way was released in 2010 as a free-to-play title. It has a Metacritic rating of 65.
Hexic HD
Hexic HD is a simple puzzle title from the creator of Tetris. The Xbox 360 version was developed by Carbonated Games.
The objective of this title is to match tiles of the same color by rotating different clusters. If you managed to match colors, then the tiles will be destroyed, creating a cascading effect that may lead to other tiles matching.
You will be able to pick between the Marathon, Timed and Survival Modes.
This is a very easy title to get lost in, especially if you are into the puzzle genre.
Hexic HD originally came pre-installed with Xbox 360 consoles. You can now download it for free on the Xbox One or Xbox Series console.
The puzzle title has a Metacritic rating of 79.
Phantom Dust
Phantom Dust originally came out in 2005 for the first Xbox. This title got remastered for the Xbox One in 2017 as a completely free release. Although not perfect, the new version does have higher resolution textures in addition to improved online elements.
It was developed by Code Mystics, the same studio that ported GoldenEye to Xbox in 2023.
Phantom Dust is a third person combat title with card deck building elements. Once you get used to the unique features, this title should provide a compelling experience to go along with a rather lengthy campaign. After all, there is a reason it became a cult hit when it was first released back in 2005.
The Xbox One version has a Metacritic rating of 73.
Too Human
Too Human is rather infamous for being a troubled project. This action RPG was developed by Silicon Knights, the studio best known for Eternal Darkness. Too Human took around a decade to complete and was initially expected to be a trilogy.
However, Silicon Knights lost a lawsuit, which forced them to file for bankruptcy and stop this title from being sold. Fortunately, it became a free-to-play release.
Despite being a little bit on the shorter side with an abrupt ending, this RPG can be fun if you are a fan of this genre. Not to mention that it has a unique setting.
Too Human has a Metacritic rating of 65.
Call of Duty Warzone
If you are into multiplayer, then Call of Duty Warzone can also be played for free on the Xbox One or Xbox Series console. This battle royale title originally came out in 2010.
Halo Infinite
The multiplayer portion of Halo Infinite is also free as well. The latest Halo title first came out in 2011.
An Xbox Game Pass subscription is not needed in order to play either Call of Duty Warzone or Halo Infinite online.