Top 5 Xbox One exclusives of 2015

We pick out five of the Xbox One's best console exclusives of 2015 in "Ori and the Blind Forest," "Forza Motorsport 6," "Rise of the Tomb Raider," "Halo 5: Guardians" and the "Rare Replay" collection.

1. Ori and the Blind Forest

As guardian spirit Ori, players make their nimble way around a dying forest, restoring it to its former glories. The $19 download is a real gem of a debut from Moon Studios, critically acclaimed upon its March release, and winner of Best Art Direction at The Game Awards 2015. Also available for PCs running Microsoft Windows.

2. Forza Motorsport 6

Making good on the promise of last year's "Forza" installment, this $59 title introduces nine new tracks to its 26-circuit roster, accommodates over 450 cars, races for up to 24 drivers, and introduces wet-weather driving for the first time.

3. Rise of the Tomb Raider

Continuing on the path set by 2013's franchise reboot, $59 "Rise of the Tomb Raider" again mixes stealth, combat and adventurous exploration as heroine Lara Croft sets off for Siberia to retrieve a legendary artifact and follow in her father's footsteps. A timed exclusive for Xbox One and Xbox 360, with the Windows PC version arriving early 2016 and the PS4 edition not until late 2016.

4. Halo 5: Guardians

If the well-anticipated storyline of $59 "Halo 5" didn't live up to expectations, a revamped suite of multiplayer modes helped make up the difference, with the 12 v 12 Warzone mode a franchise highlight thanks to its huge maps, AI enemies, vehicles, and tidal push-and-pull between the teams.

5. Rare Replay

A bargain $29 compendium of hits from UK label Rare means Xbox One owners can dive into 30 games that run the gamut from 1983's ZX Spectrum title "Jetpac" and the gleefully tough "Battletoads" through to turn of the century classics such as "Blast Corps," "Jet Force Gemini," "Perfect Dark" and "Conker's Bad Fur Day." Even the more recent pair of "Viva Pinata" favorites are included.

Extras: Xbox Live Gold

Subscription to the Gold membership tier of Xbox Live nets online access, voice chat, media sharing and two complimentary games a month via the Games with Gold scheme. Available in 3-month or 12-month varieties for $24 or $59 respectively.