I’ve loved being an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber for some time now, however this 12 months has been exceptionally superior on the subject of the variety of unbelievable video games added to the service.
If you are a member or are fascinated about becoming a member of Xbox Game Pass, I extremely suggest you try these seven must-play titles.
Best of all, if you find one of these games isn’t your cup of tea, you can just move on to the next without spending anything extra.
Blue Prince
I’m continuously drawn to puzzle video games, however Blue Prince presents a compelling format I’ve by no means encountered earlier than.
You’re set to inherit your wealthy relative’s property, however provided that you are capable of make it by way of the maze-like constructing and attain the mysterious Room 46. To do this, you’ll want to make use of helpful gadgets, clear up puzzles in numerous places, and unlock crucial doorways.
The downside is, you must place certainly one of three drawn rooms everytime you open a door, and also you by no means fairly know what structure you are going to get.
PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud
South of Midnight
As somebody born and raised within the United States Midwest, I’m not acquainted with the South, however I nonetheless discovered South of Midnight’s concentrate on darkish Southern Gothic folklore completely fascinating.
This sport had me step into the footwear of a younger girl named Hazel who will get separated from her mom when a hurricane whisks her home away. She quickly learns she’s a Weaver, somebody with magical talents, and makes use of these abilities to defeat legendary creatures.
I really like the sport’s artwork type, which provides it a clay, stop-motion really feel with an eerie edge. If you need to be taught extra, try my colleague’s South of Midnight evaluate.
PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud
Grounded 2 — Early Access
Now, Grounded 2 technically is barely in Early Access, nevertheless it nonetheless got here to Xbox Game Pass this 12 months, so I’m permitting it.
As with the unique sport, you tackle the position of a kid who has been shrunk down and must survive. But this time, along with crafting and preventing, you make use of rideable bugs often called Buggies on a a lot bigger map.
But do not simply take my phrase for it.
Two of my colleagues co-wrote a Grounded 2 Early Access hands-on in case you’re eager about studying. They each walked away from the sport feeling prefer it supplied main enhancements over the unique.
PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud
The Alters
I confess that this sci-fi sport remains to be in my backlog, nevertheless it’s gotten Very Positive critiques on Steam, and my colleague gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars in their very own The Alters evaluate, so I’m planning on taking part in it quickly.
It’s an action-survival sport with a singular administration twist.
You step into the footwear of Jan Dolski, who finds himself on a hostile alien planet. To escape, he should replicate himself and management his numerous duplicates, every of whom has their very own persona and abilities.
In addition to being an attention-grabbing survival sport, The Alters apparently forces you to take care of intense emotional conditions and philosophical questions turned digital actuality.
PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
As you’ll be able to see from my colleague’s Wuchang: Fallen Feathers evaluate in progress, it is a sport that I actually solely suggest to individuals who need a souls-like sport that is much more troublesome than Elden Ring.
Stepping into the footwear of Bai Wuchang, a feminine pirate warrior, you quickly be taught concerning the warring factions and spreading Feathering plague that create a harmful panorama throughout this fictional late Ming Dynasty China setting.
In case you did not take me severely earlier than, simply be warned that Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a brutally troublesome sport. If you do not like difficult titles, it may be finest to skip this one.
PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud
Avowed
I had such a superb time with Obsidian Entertainment’s newest fantasy RPG that I ended up beating it twice earlier than it even launched.
As defined in our Avowed evaluate, fight is extraordinarily satisfying and lets you play along with your weapons of alternative. I sometimes discovered myself wielding an axe for melee battles and utilizing my vary of magical spells for distant enemies.
As the Aedyran King’s envoy, you may have been despatched to the damaging Living Lands to analyze the Dreamscourge plaguing the land and remodeling dwelling issues. Along the way in which, you will help 4 companions with their very own storylines and make story-altering choices.
Avowed is a enjoyable one to replay if you wish to see the place totally different decisions will take you.
PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
My family and friends have all heard me gush about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at the least as soon as, which is not stunning because it’s my vote for Game of the Year. It’s a turn-based RPG with real-time occasions, which retains you in your toes throughout battles.
On prime of that, it presents a really totally different taste and emotional really feel in comparison with many different RPGs on the market. The opening cinematic hooked me with its beautiful artwork type, whereas the story itself propelled me additional with a powerful sense of melancholy mingled with hope.
The sport mainly begins by explaining that every 12 months, an enormous determine throughout the ocean known as the Paintress adjustments a quantity on her monolith, after which individuals of a sure age all vanish into smoke and flower petals.
You step into the footwear of Gustave as he says goodbye to his expensive good friend earlier than she will get erased. Then he units off on a journey to cease the Paintress. It’s a narrative that may hold you captivated from begin to end, and the turn-based fight is extraordinarily addictive.
You can be taught extra about it in our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 evaluate.
PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud
BONUS: The Outer Worlds 2
I could not full this record with out together with the extremely anticipated The Outer Worlds 2, even when it hasn’t been launched but. Xbox Game Pass members will acquire entry to it on Oct. 29, 2025, so we do not have for much longer to attend.
Based on trailers and official data launched by Obsidian Entertainment itself, we all know that this first-person sci-fi shooter has you exploring rifts that would destroy the colony of Arcadia.
While interacting with the sport’s three major factions, you will make alliances and also will make choices that would alter the sport’s story.
PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud
Dive into these amazing games on Game Pass
It’s been a fantastic year for Xbox Game Pass members thanks to the wealth of awesome games that have dropped onto the service over the last several months.
If you’re into survival games, I recommend checking out Grounded 2 for a more playful game or The Alters for a more management-heavy and philosophical experience.
Meanwhile, if you’re interested in a fantasy RPG, I really cannot recommend Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 enough. It’s an experience like no other, with a story that will keep you playing until the end.