The Best Games On Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass is quite literally one of the best deals. Period. It used to be the best deal in games but now it’s just kind of the best deal ever. If you haven’t used Xbox’s game library subscription service, you’re missing out. 

Xbox Game Pass is essentially the Netflix of games. It’s advertised as having over 100 games in its catalog but the number has been closer to 200 for a few years. 

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes Game Pass for Console, PC, and even Microsoft’s XCloud service, which provides players with the ability to play games on phones and tablets while one of Microsoft’s Series X consoles does all the hard work far, far away. 

Ultimate also includes Xbox Live Gold and EA Play, which is EA’s version of Game Pass. On its own, EA Play is a few dozen EA games for five bucks a month, which isn’t a bad deal. But having it included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with everything else mentioned for only fifteen bucks a month is pretty hard to beat. 

The service includes all of Microsoft’s published works, which include Bethesda, Fable, Gears, Minecraft, and more. There are games from outside Microsoft and EA as well. 

These titles often stay on the service for at least a few months and Xbox always gives players a heads up when titles are on their way out the door. 

As of right now, here are the best titles available on Xbox Game Pass for longtime subscribers or those new to the magic of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. 

The Best Games On Xbox Game Pass

 
Halo Master Chief Collection, Gears 5, and the Fable series

It’s best to just get Microsoft’s triple-A heavyweights out of the way first. Plus, there are some incredible games to enjoy across Microsoft’s twenty years in the video game industry available in Game Pass. 

Halo Master Chief Collection is essential for any and all fans of shooters, especially if you’ve never experienced the Halo series. Master Chief Collection includes all the main titles in the Halo series with Quality of Life changes and improved framerates, graphics, and more. 

Gears 5 may be the fifth title in the Gears of War series but it’s not a bad place to start either. There’s an intro video that can bring new players up to speed and 5 absolutely has some of the best gameplay and set pieces in the series so far. The rest of the series is available in Game Pass if you feel like going back, including a shiny remake of the first game in the series. 

Fable may be getting a new title in the series but it will likely be a while before it’s released and available to play. Fable Anniversary, Fable II, and Fable III are all available in Game Pass to enjoy while we wait for Xbox’s next Fable adventure. 

Fable II is probably the best game in the series and what I’d recommend if you’re only going to play one of the older titles. 

Costume Quest 2

 
Double Fine’s cute Halloween RPG is a must-play, especially for younger gamers, parents, or anyone looking for something spoopy instead of the usual scares. 

Costume Quest 2 has cute battles and a world that could only come from the minds of Double Fine. 

Alien: Isolation

 
EA’s Alien: Isolation is always lurking in the shadows if you’re looking for something a lot scarier. I’m not because I’m afraid of aliens chasing me throughout a ship in space. 

Isolation offers its name and more in this iconic horror masterpiece that thrusts players into the world of Alien and asks them to survive. It’s a lot but it’s worth the trip if you don’t being chased.

The Evil Within 2

 
From the mind of Shinji Mikami comes The Evil Within 2, and it’s a must-play for anyone that loves horror games. I also especially recommend it to anyone that enjoys Resident Evil 4 and games inspired by the iconic zombie title. 

The Evil Within laid an interesting foundation but it also has its fair share of flaws. The Evil Within 2 is one of the greatest horror games ever made and improves on every single thing the first game built. Do not miss this game. 

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

 
Bethesda has released a few Wolfenstein games in the latest iteration of id Software’s Nazi-killing series but The New Colossus is the best in the series so far. 

The first game is worth experiencing as well but there’s nothing wrong with jumping into the best of the series if you’re looking for a good shooter. The game also features some great optional stealth segments that can affect how combat encounters start and evolve. 

Slime Rancher 

 
Slime Rancher is an indie game where you manage different kinds of slimes in a weird, wonderful, and magical world. 

Different slimes have different needs. Some slimes can hurt other slimes and have to be separated from other kinds. 

Slime Rancher’s mix of farming, collecting, and creature management remains delightful years after its release. The sequel is scheduled to release in 2022 so now is the perfect time to try out the first game. 

Tetris Effect: Connected

 
Hello, have you heard of Tetris? Of course, you have. Tetris Effect: Connected is one of the best games in the series and worth playing even if you’ve played every single other release from the series. 

Tetris Effect: Connected puts players in kaleidoscopic dreamscapes and asks them to stack tetrominoes, chain moves, and get lost in the bliss of the Tetris Effect. 

Plants vs Zombies

 
Plants vs Zombies is one of the weirdest tower defense games to be released. It’s also one of the best. The game is over ten years old at this point and more famously known in other genres at this point. But the original game that started it all is where it’s at. 

Plants vs Zombies has an energetic soundtrack and limitless replay value. I replay it each and every October without fail. You should too!

Hypnospace Outlaw

 
Hypnospace Outlaw is almost too weird to explain. Taking place in a weird future where players are tasked with searching for outlaws on an Internet that should look a little familiar. 

Surf the web, customize your browser and help stop viruses and illegal content in this alternate version of 1999. 

Related: Classic Xbox Originals That Deserve Backward Compatibility