It seems that the 2020s will be remembered as the start of subscription-based gaming services, whether they ultimately succeed or fail. As it stands now, Xbox and PC Game Pass seem to be leading the way when it comes to third-party games being added to the service. There are hundreds of games on the service, so it can be daunting to know where to start.
But whether you’re into horror, strategy, casual, or any other kind of game, Game Pass will have something that will suit your taste. Plus, the collection is growing all the time, ensuring players will never run out of new content to enjoy. With many exclusives coming to Game Pass on day one, players will also get to enjoy some of the hottest new games.
There are hundreds of games on Game Pass ready to be enjoyed, but it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some of the best Xbox and PC Game Pass games you’ll find on the subscription service.
Most recent titles added to Game Pass
New games are being added to the service all the time, so it can be hard to keep track of the releases on Game Pass.
- Disney Dreamlight Valley
- Opus Magnum
- GRID Legends
- Immortality
- Tinykin
Best single-player games on Xbox and PC Game Pass
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
If you can’t decide which Halo game you want to play, you should start with the first four games that made a name for the series. These iconic titles were developed by Bungie and are brought together for players to enjoy. Players can even take advantage of Halo: Reach, a prequel to the main trilogy and the last Halo game that Bungie worked on.
After those games, players can play 343’s take on the franchise from Halo 4 to Halo Infinite, all available through Xbox and PC Game Pass.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
For those who want to explore space and fight off a civilization-ending threat, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is the perfect game trilogy to take on. Players will play as Shepard, a commander and the only person between the universe and the Reapers. The ups and downs of all three games will take players several days to complete, if not longer.
With choices that can severely impact the direction of the game, paying attention to the narrative and Shepard’s place in it is imperative to ensure you and your crew make it out alive.
The Yakuza series
There is more to being a Yakuza than having a steely will and unbreakable honor. You also have to know how to best the competition in dance-offs and business. There’s a lot going on in the Yakuza series, each game with more mini-games to beat than you can imagine. But it’s not just the bells and whistles that make Yakuza since each game boasts a deeply emotional story.
Players can take on the role of Kiryu through every Yakuza game currently on Xbox and PC Game Pass. Players who are unsure where to start should play Yakuza 0 first, followed by Kiwami 1, then Kiwami 2, and then Yakuza 3 through Yakuza 6, finishing the series off with the new protagonist in 2020’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
Fallout 4
One of the best-selling games of 2015, Fallout 4 is one of the most recent of Bethesda’s classic open-world RPGs. Taking the role of a parent in a post-apocalyptic version of Boston, players are on the search after their family is taken away from them. Players can live out their own story, with choices that will heavily impact what happens in the game.
It’s up to the player whether they want to be reunited with their family or if they’d rather ensure the safety of the people who’ve helped them along the way. This game is guaranteed to provide dozens of hours of fun as the player lives out their life in radiated Massachusetts.
Prey
If you’re looking for something a little more thrilling, then you’ll appreciate the spookiness of 2017’s Prey. From Arkane Studios, the same developer as the Dishonored series, Prey is an evolution of the stealth mechanics of its predecessor. Mixed with the monsters that make your hairs stand on end and the wonderful environmental storytelling, this is a fantastic game.
While it doesn’t bill itself as being a horrifying game, and it’s not, there’s enough going on in Prey that your heart will start beating faster. As you get more powers and weapons, you’ll become better equipped and the enemies won’t be nearly as daunting.
Psychonauts 2
For players new and old, the Psychonauts series recently released the sequel to the original game. Players will take on the role of fledgling Psychonaut Raz as he begins to learn more about his powers and his family’s history. In Psychonauts 2, Raz learns that you can’t run from your past, no matter how hard you try.
The original Psychonauts is on Game Pass as well, allowing players to take on the title that started it all. Even if they don’t play the original, there’s a cinematic at the beginning of Psychonauts 2 that explains all previous events.
Honorable mention for best single-player games on Game Pass
Here are some more of the best single-player games available on Xbox and PC Game Pass.
- Ori and the Blind Forest
- Firewatch
- Assassin’s Creed Origins
- Hades
- Doom Eternal
Best multiplayer games on Xbox and PC Game Pass
Sea of Thieves
Every kid has the dream of being an adventurer on the high seas, plundering for loot and living freely. In Sea of Thieves, players can live out this dream with other players in an open ocean of adventure and limitless treasure. Watch out, though, because enemy pirates can find you and take your loot if you’re not careful.
While this game can be played alone, the real fun comes from sailing the seas with your friends and other pirates you meet along the way. With the game being updated all the time, there are near-limitless adventures to be had in Sea of Thieves.
Minecraft
One of the staples of modern gaming, Minecraft is perfect for players whether they want to survive and thrive or build to their heart’s content. There are limitless options in how players can interact with Minecraft, with developer Mojang releasing new content for the game every so often. This game can be played alone but it can provide pure joy when you play with a friend.
This game released its first version in 2011 and has since grown to become an international phenomenon that has spanned generations of gamers. Its easily accessible nature makes it perfect for younger gamers as well.
No Man’s Sky
If the near-limitless number of galaxies in the universe is your thing, you can experience them firsthand in No Man’s Sky. This game allows players to live out their dreams in outer space, hopping from galaxy to galaxy trading, fighting pirates, or just exploring. Players will never be able to fully explore all of the 18 quintillion planets in No Man’s Sky.
Playing this game alone can make you feel lonely, so developer Hello Games implemented comprehensive multiplayer that lets you take on unique adventures with your friends. Through the Nexus, players can interact with others and embark on quests from across the game’s universe.
Mortal Kombat 11
For players who’d rather fight than cooperate, Mortal Kombat 11 will allow you to vent any frustrations you might have. Through the roster of 37 playable characters, players are likely to find at least one fighter that suits their playstyle. After completing the campaign, you’ll be able to take on anyone in either online or local multiplayer.
Mortal Kombat is one of the classic fighting franchises and its inclusion on Game Pass ensures that new and old players alike can brush up on their skills.
It Takes Two
Only one person will need to have access to the full game to play with anyone else, be it couch co-op or online multiplayer. This game features a husband and wife turned into children’s toys and forced to work together to get back to normal. This co-op-only title allows two players to bond through teamwork and communication.
No matter which character you take the role of, there will be moments where the two players will need to trust each other to make the puzzles work. While it can be frustrating at times, this unique game is a great way to bond with someone.
Grounded
For fans of the classic 1980s movie Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Grounded offers a chance to see what it’s like to be small living in a big world. Players will survive and live out their small lives in their own backyard thanks to a science experiment gone wrong. Grab your closest friends and work together to survive and figure out how to get back to normal size.
With Grounded’s full release set to come on Sept. 27, 2022, players will soon be able to live out the full story with their friends.
Honorable mentions for best multiplayer games on Game Pass
Here are some more of the most fun multiplayer games included on the Xbox and PC Game Pass.
- Gang Beasts
- Halo Infinite
- Back 4 Blood
- PowerWash Simulator
- Among Us
