Microsoft’s Game Pass service is easily worth the price of admission. Many might balk at the concept of having their video game library locked behind a subscription service, but the fact is subscribers get access to an incredible selection of titles spanning from indie darlings to triple-A blockbusters for a surprisingly affordable monthly fee.
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With such a dizzying array of fantastic titles on display, it can be a daunting task deciding which ones are worth a player’s time. Given that the cost of entry is taken care of with the subscription fee, the most pressing matter is determining the best use of your hard drive space. Thankfully, the diamonds of this collection are readily apparent. Here’s a look at the greatest games that Xbox Game Pass has to offer.
The selections listed here will include games available on EA Play, which is included with a subscription to Game Pass Ultimate.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
The adventures of the Master Chief have never been as accessible as they are in the Master Chief Collection. This gathering of Halo games is the definitive collection of 343 Industries’ endeavors to immortalize the series. Not only is every mainline Halo game (not counting Halo 5: Guardians) included, but the fantastic Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach were added as well.
From beloved campaign co-op to thrilling Firefight matches to iconic multiplayer modes, the Master Chief Collection has it all. Anyone who thinks of themselves as a Halo fan should consider it a must-play from Xbox Game Pass. And for those who have never completed the Master Chief’s saga, there is no better way to finish the fight.
Blue Prince
As difficult as it is to describe how you play Blue Prince, we’ll do our best. Blue Prince is a walking simulator puzzle game that sees you exploring the estate your rich uncle left behind for you. This estate is no ordinary building, however. Every time you open a door on a given day, you have the opportunity to “draft” a different room. This means that every day you explore the estate, it will never look the same, especially depending on your drafting actions. This mechanic feels awkward to describe without some sort of visual aid, but rest assured, it’s a puzzle-game lover’s dream.
The one comparison we can think to make is to Outer Wilds. If you loved the discovery-based progression of Outer Wilds, we think the drafting problem-solving of Blue Prince will enchant you. Every day that you learn something new about a room you’ve drafted, a password for a critical safe, or a layout that’s particularly useful for reaching your end goal, Blue Prince will build the foundation for a lasting impact on your memory.
Borderlands 3
We do love ourselves a good cooperative looter shooter, so it’s a delight that the latest Borderlands title, Borderlands 3, has made its way to the Xbox Game Pass library. A lot of what you get in this third mainline installment is what you’d expect after playing the first two. You’ve got your handy squad of anti-heroes to pick from, perfectly executed lowbrow humor, and a buttload of guns to shoot. But if you’re new to the series and have no idea what Borderlands is all about, I think you’ll still find yourself having a good time.
You’re a Vault Hunter, a half-bounty-hunter half-treasure-seeker, looking to stop the Calypso Twins from taking over the galaxy. Along the way, you shoot up a lot of culty gang members, take down chaingun smashing minibosses, and have a rip-roaring good time. Borderlands 3, as with most Borderlands games, is best enjoyed with friends. So before diving into the mayhem, make sure you have a squad ready to take on this solid first-person looter-shooter game!
Enter the Gungeon
One of the greatest losses to Xbox Game Pass subscribers occurred the day Enter the Gungeon left their libraries. Now, after months and months of waiting and praying, it’s back! This means it’s the perfect time to play it if you didn’t get the chance to when it was first on Game Pass. Enter the Gungeon is a cooperative dungeon crawler mixed with roguelike elements. Your runs are randomized. Your guns, your items, the rooms, and even the very bosses you face are not guaranteed.
However, as you get used to the trials before you, figuring out the solutions to various bullet hellscapes, you start to catch your stride. There’s a fantastic sense of mastery as you progress through areas. However, in addition to all this (in our personal opinion) the best thing about Enter the Gungeon is its local co-op. If playing alone is buckets of fun, playing with a friend at your side is an ocean of fun.
Atomfall
Many may go into Atomfall expecting “British Fallout,” as people have postulated the game would be since before it came out. If you expect this, you’ll probably come out disappointed. Its RPG elements are not what you are looking for and it’s got a larger emphasis on stealth than combat. That said, if you go into Atomfall without pinning your Fallout hopes to it, we think you’ll find yourself delighted. In fact, if you liked Stalker 2, Atomfall might be right up your alley.
Set in a fictionalized version of events after the Windscale nuclear disaster, you need to traverse the English countryside to uncover answers as to what happened. Managing your ammo, energy, and heart rate can get frustratingly difficult, but being able to explore the beautifully rendered world makes it worth it. You’ll have to avoid cultists and other dangers to see the narrative through to its conclusion, and it’s a harrowing journey. But isn’t that what a nuclear apocalypse is all about?
33 Immortals
At the time of this writing, 33 Immortals is still in early access. Many gameplay elements will be tweaked as the developers get feedback from players, and certain areas/bosses are still works in progress. So it’s mighty impressive that even with the bare structure of the game before us instead of the finished product, 33 Immortals is still one of the best new games we’ve played on Xbox Game Pass. You and up to 32 other players (hence, 33 Immortals) are trying to make your way out of purgatory. To do this, you have to battle your way through the gates of hell.
The art style is reminiscent of Hades, but we can’t help feeling like we’re in a Diablo 4 world event when we see our little character clustered together with such a huge host of other players, all working toward a common goal. It’s cute and awe-inspiring to see dozens of stick-like figures clustered against a boss, all trying to deal damage before its next attack. And then to see that same cluster dodge out of the way when that attack comes. It’s a feeling like no other, and there are fewer bars to entry than you’d find with most of your typical triple-A MMOs.
Balatro
How could a list of the best games ever, let alone a list of the best games included on Xbox Game Pass, be truly complete without a mention of Balatro. In case you haven’t heard, Balatro is the indie roguelike gaming sensation that’s swept the nation. It is a remarkably simple yet incredibly engrossing title; once you start playing it, you’ll find yourself hard-pressed to put it back down. You’ll keep wanting to play one more run, build one more hand, and beat one more boss blind.
Though its naming conventions and terms are based off of poker, it is in no way a game played like poker. It is a roguelike through and through. Normally, for a small game like this, I’d recommend it by saying it’s a great game and should take you no time at all to complete. That’s not the case with Balatro. While it’s not a vast RPG like Avowed, with character building, side quests, and an explorable world, it’s still a timesink because of how often you will return to it. It’s glorious as heck.
Monster Train
Like Slay the Spire, Monster Train is a run-based deck-builder where players pick a starting character/clan and do their best to assemble the ultimate deck before a climactic showdown.
Monster Train’s claim to fame is a unique three-tiered floor system where players can set up their defenses and monsters to protect their core HP sitting at the top of the train. The system combines the best deck-builders with this unique mechanic, and an enormous number of different characters and abilities to give players a near-infinite number of strategies and combinations. Anyone riding the Monster Train will quickly find their route to an OP deck — and that’s half the fun.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
RPG fans can eat well this month on Xbox Game Pass. Not only do we get Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed, we get the phenomenal Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader as well. I’m a Warhammer 40K fan, so I’m a bit biased when I say this, but I truly believe that even for non-fans of the Grim Dark future, Rogue Trader is just a fantastic game. The breadth of options you have for building your character and upgrading your companions feels unprecedented.
And the story, my god, the story. The voice acting and the branching narrative paths you take are so glorious, even the Emperor would weep. Bear in mind though, this is a dense RPG. This is not the RPG-lite experience you would get from playing Avowed or Dragon Age: The Veilguard. You’ll spend a lot of time in Rogue Trader poring over menus and comparing abilities. But if this is your sort of jam, then you will find few games that excel the way this masterpiece does.
Avowed
Avowed
7/10
- Released
-
February 18, 2025
To “avow” means to declare. So, an example of the correct usage of the word would be “I avow that Avowed is a fantastic title from Obsidian that I’ve currently sunk a lot of time into.” In all seriousness, while Avowed is not a game-changer RPG on the level of Baldur’s Gate 3, it is an engaging romp in the world we grew accustomed to within the Pillars of Eternity series. You play as an envoy from the colonizing empire of Aedyr, sent to discover and stop a plague known as the Dreamscourge on a far-off (prospective colony) continent.
It’s a set-up ripe with potential, and as you explore the gorgeous world of the Living Lands set before you, you can feel that potential in every lore document you find, NPC quest you embark on, and unique weapons you discover. While Avowed’s style might not appeal to everyone, its inclusion within the Xbox Game Pass library makes checking it out a ripe prospect for subscribers.
Kingdom Two Crowns
There is an understated, elegant simplicity to playing Kingdom Two Crowns. You (and one other player if you so choose) gallop across a pixelated 2D screen, surveying your kingdom, building your fortifications, and defending your citizens from the monsters that come at night. And when you’ve built up enough defense and shored up your realm’s power, you can expand your kingdom, galloping to new but equally gorgeous pixelated 2D environments.
As you play, it’s surprising how such simple mechanics can draw you in.
It’s almost like the first time you played Tetris.
That’s all there is to it. And it’s perfect as is. Kingdom Two Crowns doesn’t over-stuff itself with mechanics you have to learn that don’t really feel relevant. Taking your steed across the land, slaying beasts, and collecting resources is utterly straightforward. It’s beautiful, and it’s a joy to play with a friend.
Starbound
Every so often, as we comb through Xbox Game Pass’ library looking for the best games to recommend, we come across some truly hidden gems. I had never heard of Starbound before I gave it a try this past week (at the time of writing this update). All I had to go on were some shared screenshots, the game’s description, and a brief trailer. Imagine my delight and surprise at finding a game that not only rivals Terraria in the freedom and exploration of this genre, but, in my opinion, surpasses it.
The short sell of Starbound is to describe it as “Terraria in space.” But even with all that implies, it feels like we’re underselling it. The sheer variety of planets you can visit, self-made careers you can undertake, and ship-crafting options make this a notch above your above-average game. While there were a few hiccups while playing (the game’s UI was very clearly made with PC players in mind), nothing can blemish that shine of the genuine hidden gem that Starbound is. If you at all feel positively inclined toward Terraria, we beg you to give Starbound a try as well.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
If you haven’t played the first Citizen Sleeper, stop what you’re doing right now. That’s right. Stop reading this entry, download Citizen Sleeper on your Xbox (it’s on Game Pass), and play it. Citizen Sleeper is one of the best RPGs in recent years, and yes, we’re aware Baldur’s Gate 3 is a thing. The first game embraced a dice-focused element of role-playing that added chance to your Sleeper’s struggles to free themselves from a life of servitude. (“Servitude” is putting it mildly.)
The sequel picks up where the first left off, and ups the risk of your hopeful venture through the Starward Belt. You need to complete contracts and help your crew in order to make it to the end and see your troubles rewarded. Futility will feel like the name of the game, but it’s all about the friends you make along the way. I know the market can seem like it’s oversaturated with RPGs, but Citizen Sleeper 2 is a must. Especially if you’ve already played the first. (And if you haven’t, what are you doing? You were supposed to go play it before you finished these paragraphs.)
Hunt: Showdown 1896
Extraction shooters have nearly reached critical mass. Much like the height of the semi-recent battle royale explosion, they’re a dime a dozen. While each iteration tends to struggle to innovate meaningfully on the core formula, Hunt: Showdown 1896 definitely doesn’t.
Hunt: Showdown’s dark fantasy, pseudo-western setting does well enough to set it apart, but crowbars enough additional spins on the established extraction shooter elements to keep you on your toes. Taking the role of a monster-slaying bounty hunter, players — whether solo or working with up to two teammates — are charged to investigate a huge, murky, unforgiving map to hunt down and kill a boss monster, collect the bounty, and then escape with their prize.
While the map’s PVE enemies — various zombie-like creatures and other horrors — pose a threat alongside the bounty target, the more dangerous enemy by far is your fellow hunter. If you’re killed on your way to the extraction point, it’s easy as pie for the offending party to swoop by and claim your bounty instead. All in all, Hunt: Showdown 1896 is a delightfully unique setting for a genre otherwise mired in conventional approaches.
Road 96
There are few games quite as ambitious as Road 96, it’s a game that weaves a branching dialogue narrative with procedural generation to create a one-of-a-kind role-playing experience. That ambition creates some uneven sections, but it succeeds more than it misses.
It’s a game steeped in political discourse, that has youth trying to escape their country through the game’s namesake: Road 96. Unlike most narrative adventures, the player’s character isn’t guaranteed to survive the ordeal, but the cast of characters encountered along the way each have their own plots that move forward with each escape attempt.
Carrion
We love a good horror game. Or as Carrion describes itself, a “reverse-horror” game. You play as an amorphous, reddish blob monster that seeks to escape from the confinement it finds itself in and swallow-with-its-body all the unlucky scientists and military guys that find themselves in its path. It’s visceral without being too visually demanding on your eye-holes, and, more importantly, it’s fun.
All too often we find ourselves playing horror games where you have to run away from a monster, hide yourself in a locker from a monster, shoot ineffectual weapons at a monster, or puzzle your way past a monster. Now, we’re the monster. We chase down people fleeing from us, rip them out of their hiding places, (mostly) tank the bullets they send our way as meager self-defense, and puzzle our way to a grotesque feast. It’s great. 10/10.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy
We’re never going to turn down the chance to play our favorite retro games, especially when they come to Xbox Game Pass. We’ve seen a suite of Activision titles make their way to Microsoft’s premier subscription service, and while Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is all well and good, nothing beats an old-school 3D platformer. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy lets you jump, soar, and, well, platform your way through the nostalgia of the original trilogy.
We’ve got Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! and Spyro: Year of the Dragon, all redone for this glorious remaster. It’s both a great entry point for people who have never heard of Spyro (gasp) and a total nostalgia trip for anyone who played and loved the games as kids. There are a few hiccups in the gameplay that showcases Spyro’s age, but that’s all part of the Reignited Trilogy’s charm.
Nine Sols
There are actually a host of solid Metroidvania-like titles currently available on Xbox Game Pass (at least at the time of this writing). We have Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Hollow Knight, Have a Nice Death, and that’s just naming a few. And they’re all great. So as you can probably imagine, it’s a superlative feat to stand out among a crowd as tall and illustrious as this. And to our delight, Nine Sols manages to do just that.
Nine Sols is a Metroidvania that has taken clear inspiration from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, with a parry mechanic that encourages a sort of risk-reward style to combat. The story is intriguing, the art style is phenomenal, and the platforming feels incredibly crisp. If you have enjoyed any of the games we’ve listed above, you absolutely have to give Nine Sols your time and attention, because it was skillfully and lovingly made for players like us.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle does for the character of Indiana Jones what the Arkham series does for the character of Batman. At the risk of sounding super trite, I’m going to say that The Great Circle makes you feel like you are Indiana Jones.
Seriously, as a long time Indiana Jones fan, the game ticks a lot of boxes for me.
You solve archaeological puzzles in dusty and trap-riddled catacombs. You engage in impromptu and often hilarious fisticuffs with fascists at almost every turn. You stumble onto victories in a haphazard and charming fashion a la every Indiana Jones win in the films. MachineGames’ take on this beloved icon absolutely knocks it out of the park. And I’d even go so far as to say that even if you’ve never heard of Indiana Jones before in your life, The Great Circle is not a bad place for an introduction to this absolute legend of a character, fedora and all.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
Crash Team Racing, by virtue of its genre alone, is a gem in the Xbox Game Pass library. While a decent amount of realistic racing sims can be found in its catalog, most notably the Forza Horizon series, there are no arcade racers in the vein of Mario Kart. At least, there wasn’t before. Enter Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled! It’s already a novelty for this fact. However, it’s also a thoughtful remake of a classic character-driven arcade racer that’s way more fun than you might initially think.
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In a year that’s lining up to be very exciting for kart racing fans, Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled needs the support fellow racers are receiving.
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