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Xbox Game Pass: How To Subscribe And What Games Are Available

Xbox Game Pass packs a lot of value into its subscription model — here are all the details you need to know, from price to recently added games.

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.
Dredge

If a cozy fishing simulator coupled with an unsettling, Lovecraftian-lite story sounds right up your alley, you and I are not alike. I had no clue this strange genre pairing was exactly what I needed until I played Dredge. However, if you did have the foresight to think relaxing with a trawler, collecting fish and avoiding fog-driven horrors, would be the perfect game for you, let me say Dredge is the game for you. With fantastic art design and one of the most satisfying gameplay loops I’ve experienced in a simulator-type of game (second only to PowerWash), Dredge tasks players with navigating murky waters alongside relatively friendly towns and shorelines. As you meet the folk living on various islands, you’ll uncover more and more of the mysteries guiding you toward the story’s conclusion. But let’s be real. We’re all here for the satisfying fishing and inventory management, am I right?

Metaphor: ReFantazio was one of the biggest games of last year (2024), and it’s a happy day indeed when Xbox Game Pass subscribers get to play a title like this. Metaphor’s developers, Atlus, are the titans behind the illustrious Persona games. Metaphor isn’t exactly a carbon copy of the last game in the Persona series, but if you’re a fan, you are most definitely going to find something to love. And better yet, it also suits people who have never played the games before. If you have been the kind of player who has hesitated to dive into the Persona library because it’s an established series of games that feels daunting, Metaphor is the perfect standalone title to dip your toe into the genre. Story-wise, it’s got a royal tournament gone deadly, a kingdom in turmoil, and a nameless protag you can fully immerse yourself in (especially as you form your party of companions). Xbox doesn’t always get a lot of JRPG love, so embrace it while you can!
Doom: The Dark Ages

Let’s get one thing straight. We’re huge fans of Doom. From the classics to the rebooted stuff we’re getting now, huge. We knew before we played the game that Dark Ages would have a place on this list. But integrity kept us from adding it until we had finished the game. Now that we’re done, we can happily add Doom: The Dark Ages to this ever-growing list of best games to play on Xbox Game Pass. The Dark Ages is particularly suited for anyone who felt trapped by Eternal’s awesome-yet-prescriptive handling of ammo and weapon management. While that title was challenging and required expert precision, The Dark Ages relaxes into a “pick a weapon you like and stick with it” approach. In addition to that, now more than ever, Doom encourages you to be wholly aggressive in your playstyle, pushing you to get closer to your enemies with Dark Age’s generous parry system. It’s a metal-as-heck good time, and though Mick Gordon’s genius soundtrack is sorely missed, Doom: The Dark Ages is a must-play in the Xbox Game Pass library.
Warhammer: Vermintide 2

The whole world’s gone to hell, and the Empire’s at risk of being swept away in a tide of voracious rat-men known as the Skaven — but not if the Ubersreik five have anything to say about it. Being brutally honest, the Vermintide games play almost exactly like Left 4 Dead with a Warhammer paint job. And continuing in the vein of brutal honesty, they really don’t need to do much more than that to be fantastic games. Fatshark got it right with Vermintide, and swung for the fences with this sequel. All of the frantic, whiteknuckle rat-slaying shenanigans are still well afoot, alongside a revamped loot system, new careers for each of the five core classes to pursue and progress, and new enemy types to maim, crush, kill, stab, and shoot.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has become a darling star of the Xbox Game Pass library. Strongly considered a contender for Game of the Year, Clair Obscur tells a phenomenal story about a collection of desperate adventurers trying to prevent a god-like “Paintress” from erasing their age group. (Literally erasing their age group from existence; this isn’t a metaphor.) To further describe the plot would be a disservice to Clair Obscur, as the narrative is the jewel of this crown. But alongside this harrowing journey are the game’s mechanics. Clair Obscur combines turn-based gameplay elements with real-time ones, creating a unique system that stands out from the RPG crowd. While turn-based purists may turn away from the parry and dodge windows, if you’re a fan of the genre at all, Clair Obscur is a must try. The characters, the story, the world are all amazing. Terrifying. But amazing.

We didn’t think it could be done, but Bethesda has proven that when it comes to remasters, they know what they’re doing. Virtuos and Bethesda managed to achieve the impossible by improving Oblivion where they could, but preserving the DNA of what made it what it is. This includes some of the “glitches” the game is known for. NPC trajectories, certain bugs, and the campy line deliveries are all remembered fondly when fans reminisce about their time with the original Elder Scrolls IV. It’s something we feared would be lost if the game was remastered, beloved imperfections wiped clean by the gloss of modernity. It’s with great delight that we’ve found NPCs still engage in hilarious dialogue paths, will pop in and out of existence as the game’s clock allows, levitate in the air unprovoked, and/or start a conversation while the world is erupting into chaos around them. Playing the Oblivion remaster has been an experience like no other. It’s a remaster done right, flaws and all.
Grand Theft Auto V

Brought back to Xbox Game Pass once again, Grand Theft Auto V’s vibrant open-world setting of Los Santos is a prime reason for players to stay home and immerse themselves in a digital life of crime and skullduggery. Countless hours can be spent enjoying the game’s various activities and diving into the gripping story. Playing through GTA V is a gaming experience like no other; the freedom of exploring a living, breathing city is brought to home consoles with masterful game design. GTA V is ridiculously fun, which eases the pressure of its intense heists, chaotic car chases, and other criminal enterprises.
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!