The Ultimate 2025 List: 30+ Must-Play Games With Xbox Play Anywhere (Cross-Buy & Cross-Save)
Stop buying the same game twice! As of December 2025, the Xbox Play Anywhere program continues to be one of the most powerful features for gamers who own both an Xbox console (Series X|S or One) and a Windows PC. This feature ensures that a single digital purchase of an eligible game grants you access to both the Xbox and PC versions, complete with shared save files, achievements, and DLC across platforms.
The program has seen massive expansion, with Microsoft highlighting the addition of over 40 new Xbox Play Anywhere titles in the recent December 2025 Update, bringing the total count to well over 1,100 games. This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly how the program works and spotlights the newest and most essential titles you need to be playing right now, ensuring your gaming progress follows you wherever you go.
What is Xbox Play Anywhere? The Cross-Buy and Cross-Save Advantage
The Xbox Play Anywhere (XPA) initiative is a consumer-friendly program that eliminates the need to choose between your console and your desktop. It is designed around two core principles: cross-buy and cross-progression (also known as cross-save).
Cross-Buy: When you purchase a digital copy of an XPA-enabled game through the Microsoft Store or the Xbox console, you automatically own the game on both the Xbox and Windows 10/11 PC platforms at no extra cost.
Cross-Save / Cross-Progression: Your saved game progress, achievements, add-ons, and in-game purchases are all automatically synced via the Xbox cloud storage. This means you can start playing a major AAA title on your Xbox Series X, pause, and then pick up exactly where you left off on your high-end gaming PC, or even a compatible laptop.
Crucially, to qualify for XPA, the game must be purchased digitally. Physical disc copies do not qualify for the program. You can identify an XPA title by looking for the "Xbox Play Anywhere" logo on its store page in the Microsoft Store.
The Newest and Most Notable Xbox Play Anywhere Additions (2025 Updates)
Microsoft has recently made a significant push to expand the XPA library, adding a wave of highly anticipated and major titles throughout late 2024 and 2025. These additions show a strong commitment to making the cross-platform experience seamless for flagship releases and popular indie titles alike.
Recent AAA and Highly Anticipated XPA Titles:
- Senua's Saga: Hellblade II: A stunning, narrative-driven experience that benefits from the power of both the Series X and high-end PCs, with save files fully transferable.
- Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater: The highly anticipated remake of the classic espionage title has been confirmed to support XPA, allowing fans to jump between console and PC.
- Mortal Kombat 1: The latest entry in the brutal fighting franchise, offering cross-buy and cross-progression for players who want to practice on their PC and compete on their Xbox.
- Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth: The massive, sprawling RPG adventure ensures that you can continue your quest across platforms without losing a minute of progress.
- Age of Mythology: Retold: The return of the classic real-time strategy game, perfect for PC play but available on both platforms with a single purchase.
Recent Indie and Mid-Tier XPA Highlights:
- Hollow Knight: Silksong: One of the most anticipated indie sequels, confirmed to be part of the XPA program, allowing players to explore its detailed world on the platform of their choice.
- Silent Hill F: Another major horror title added to the XPA list, demonstrating the program's reach across all genres.
- Gori: Cuddly Carnage: A unique, high-octane action game that’s perfect for both controller and mouse/keyboard setups.
- Harold Halibut: An incredibly unique, handcrafted adventure game where the cross-save feature is perfect for continuing its rich story on the go.
The Definitive List: Must-Play Xbox Play Anywhere Games
While the XPA library is vast, certain games stand out as essential purchases due to their quality, popularity, and how well they utilize the cross-platform features. This list includes titles that are universally praised and offer hundreds of hours of combined console and PC enjoyment.
The Best of the Best XPA Titles:
These games represent the pinnacle of the Xbox Play Anywhere experience, often being flagship titles developed by Xbox Game Studios or highly-rated third-party partners.
- Forza Horizon 3: While an older title, it remains a gold standard for open-world racing games, and its XPA status means you can race on your Xbox One/Series X and your PC.
- Gears of War 4: The mainline entry in the iconic third-person shooter series, perfect for those who want to experience the campaign on their console and the multiplayer on their PC.
- Minecraft: The ultimate cross-platform success. Buy it once and play it on any compatible device, with all your worlds and progress intact.
- Sea of Thieves: 2025 Edition: Microsoft's massive multiplayer pirate adventure is a perfect example of XPA, allowing you to seamlessly join your crew regardless of your device.
- Cuphead: The challenging, beautiful run-and-gun game is available with XPA, allowing you to tackle those difficult bosses on either platform.
- ARK: Survival Ascended: The next-generation remake of the survival classic, offering cross-progression for your dinosaur-taming adventures.
Top XPA Games with Seamless Cross-Progression:
These titles are ideal for gamers who frequently switch between their PC setup and their couch, as their progress synchronization is flawless.
- Astroneer: The charming space exploration and sandbox game is perfect for dropping in and out, with your base-building progress saved to the cloud.
- ReCore: A vibrant action-adventure game that was an early showcase for the XPA program.
- Killer Instinct: Seasons 1, 2, and 3: The definitive fighting game package, with all your purchased characters and progress carrying over.
- Fortnite: While free-to-play, any in-game purchases and progress (including Battle Pass tiers) are shared across all XPA platforms.
- Ready or Not: The tactical first-person shooter that demands precision, with your loadouts and unlocks synced across your devices.
How to Get Started with Xbox Play Anywhere
Getting started is simple, but it requires a few key steps to ensure you benefit from the full cross-platform experience. The core requirement is a digital purchase made through the Microsoft Store.
1. Ensure Eligibility (The Digital Purchase Rule)
Only games purchased digitally from the Xbox Store, the Microsoft Store on Windows, or via a digital code redemption are eligible for the XPA benefit. If you own a physical disc, you will need to purchase the game digitally to access the PC version.
2. Check the Store Page
Always look for the "Xbox Play Anywhere" logo or text on the game's product page before purchasing. This is your guarantee that you are getting both versions and the cross-save functionality.
3. Install on Both Devices
Once purchased, the game will appear in your library on both your Xbox console and your Windows 10/11 PC. You can download and install the game on both devices at any time. The game will automatically use your cloud-synced save data when you launch it, regardless of the platform.
The Xbox Play Anywhere program is a massive value-add for the Xbox ecosystem. With over 1,100 titles and major new releases like *Senua's Saga: Hellblade II* and *Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater* joining the ranks, it provides an unparalleled level of freedom for gamers to play their favorite titles wherever they choose.
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