The Xbox Game Pass for its price point has some beautiful titles that you should check out. The subscription does not cost much and now, with the announcement of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 being a Day One release on the Game Pass, the number of subscriptions will only go up. That being said, what are some of the best Xbox Game Pass games to play in 2024? Let’s find out.
The Best Xbox Game Pass Games To Play in 2024 (10+ Honorable Mentions At The End)
As a rule of thumb, we are going to gravitate towards the quality of the games and not just look at the ones that are recent releases. With a catalogue of 100s of different games, making a choice will be difficult. However, the Game Pass has something for everyone, from indie games to shooters, you will not get bored.
We will look at 10 different genres of games available on the Game Pass that you should try out at least once.
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
The reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise brought in renewed hope for the fans of Lara Croft. With a whole new design, attitude and skillset, Tomb Raider changed the franchise for the better. The story and the semi-open world of the game is a breath of fresh air and even though the game replicates the Uncharted series in a lot of ways, Tomb Raider shines on its own.
The combat is that of a standard third person over the shoulder game but the variety of weapons, costumes, collectibles and skill trees will keep you occupied. There are tons of Tombs to explore and enemies to take out in this game.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim in the gaming world is still one of the best open world games ever made. It has a little bit for everyone; the action adventure aspect, the intuitive combat, the diverse skill tree, great NPCs, numerous side quests and stories and a modding community that is still quite active.
You, as the Dragonborn are responsible for your own destiny as you traverse the lands fighting, sometimes fleeing from tough enemies, grand locations and beautiful scenery. There will be all kinds of enemies in your path but no matter what it is, the game is quite intuitive and does not shy away from it’s long running story.
Fallout 4
Fallout 4 is by far the best Fallout game ever made and that is saying something. The franchise has enjoyed tons of success in the world of pop culture and for good reason. From the start of the game where you are making your own character in front of the mirror to finding a good dog on the way to getting in a suit that makes you a Terminator, this game has it all.
A huge open world, larger than life NPCs, diverse skill trees, great weapons and an intuitive story is what makes Fallout 4 a great game to try out, especially if you’re someone like the author who hasn’t experienced the Fallout franchise before. The first playthrough was eye opening and a ton of fun.
Mafia: Definitive Edition
Mafia came at a time where Noir York as a genre was dying out. The game completely changed how people perceived Noir York and this game reflected the love developers put into it. In the Definitive Edition, players have the option to explore the city at their own leisure just like other popular open world games like GTA or Horizon Zero Dawn.
Some Czech voice actors returned for the game from the original. However, the English ones were recast. The game received positive reviews and people liked the renewed vigor of the franchise being presented with enhanced graphics. Mafia: Definitive Edition wasn’t a repackage but a complete remake with new assets and an expansive storyline that has anything and everything for the fans of the dark and grizzly Noir York genre.
Minecraft
Minecraft is everyone’s game. No matter what age you belong to, you can always start with Minecraft because it is wholesome and fun. The objective of the game is simple, just build and explore. As you get better at building, you will find newer things out in the wild from animals to legendary dragons and biomes of various kinds.
The modding community is quite active and supportive while the developers themselves love the game they have created. It is never a bad time to get into Minecraft and it is one of the best games to ever present itself in the Xbox Game Pass. The pixelated and block-like world of Minecraft will make for a great Saturday chill and relax session with your favorite beverage.
Control
Control is not for everyone but the pace of the game and the combat system is incredible. Control is a third person perspective game set inside a building called the FBC, the Federal Bureau of Control. You play as Jesse Faden, the newest Director of the FBC, taking up the post after the death of its previous director. The game is a paranormal horror story with elements of thriller.
The combat system is beautiful and you level up by upgrading your weapon and finding objects of power to improve yourself so that you can combat the Hiss, the paranormal entity that has invaded the FBC. All in all, Control is an experience by Remedy Entertainment that you will not forget even if you uninstall halfway due to the beauty and uniqueness of the story and the way it is told.
Persona 3 Reload
The remake of Persona 3, one of the best games in the Persona franchise, Persona 3 Reload is one of the best things on the Xbox Game Pass right now. Persona 3 Reload is an action RPG and follows a silent protagonist and his journey to navigate the paranormal mystery of the Dark Hour. The game follows a day to day format in which you can do what you choose to from hanging out with friends, training at Tartarus with your Personas, raising your stats by doing various activities and so on.
The game is also huge on it’s social simulation aspect where you will need to forge bonds with certain people who will be marked as Arcana cards. For example, a character named Yukari fits in The Lovers Arcana and so on. Forging bonds and raising their level can give you tons of advantages in combat. Most of the time, you will find yourself exploring the city and the Dorm to either talk or enjoy what the game has to offer.
The combat is simple but delightful and maintains the sanctity of the Persona franchise without messing with the things that made it good.
Hi-Fi Rush
Perhaps one of the most underrated games present in the Xbox Game Pass aside from Sunset Overdrive, Hi-Fi Rush does the rhythm genre right. It is an action adventure game harmonized with rhythm aspects and the art style is one of its main appeals. Our main character is Chai who accidently gets a music box stuck in his heart and now is a living, breathing music producer.
The combat is intuitive and combines various elements of rhythm to perform combos and the companions you encounter on the way fit distinctly into the combat and the story. They do not play second fiddle to Chai and feel like their own characters. The world is alive with the beat of Chai’s heart that pumps out music and the beats will make you move.
The boss fights are creative and one of the best aspects of the game are the high octane set pieces thrown in here and there to keep your attention. Chai is one of the most likeable protagonists and no one can say otherwise.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
The first edition of Hellblade was a breath of fresh air and it’s art direction and portrayal of Senua’s character was so beautiful that it warranted a sequel. Hellblade II released this year as a Day One release on Xbox Game Pass and there is no reason why you should not play it. Expanding on the previous game, the combat is better, the visuals are much more grandiose and the game looks too real.
The technological prowess of the studio really shines through in Hellblade II and you will enjoy every minute of Senua’s journey as she makes her way through coastlines, iced terrains and so much more. The psychological horror elements are still present and make way for a great story and highlight the turmoil going on inside Senua.
Halo: The Masterchief Collection
Perhaps one of the only reasons why some people would get the Xbox Game Pass is to experience the Mastercheif Collection. The Halo franchise has been pop culture iconic ever since the 2000s and will always be one of the most talked about franchises in the gaming industry. Xbox is Halo, Halo is Xbox. The Masterchief Collection lets you experience why people believe Halo is one of the greatest franchises of all time.
In The Masterchief Collection, you get every major Halo game from the very first to the fourth one. It tells the story of Masterchief who is perhaps the most recognizable gaming protagonists of all time. We recommend getting this particular collection if you do not know what Halo is about and want to get into the franchise.
That was our list. You can find a lot of other list recommendations below if you like this one. For more lists, stay tuned to IBV Gaming where casual gamers are welcome.
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