Unlock the Hottest 2024 Xbox Games with Xbox Games Pass
Game Pass is Still an Excellent Value, Even Without the Strongest Year for Xbox Exclusives
Despite not being the strongest year for Xbox exclusive games, Game Pass remains an excellent value for console owners. The subscription service offers a great mix of new blockbuster releases, smaller indie games, and older titles to round out the package. From the big launch of Call of Duty to a stop-motion adventure game and an expansion to one of last year’s biggest RPGs, Game Pass had it all in 2024.
If you’re a new subscriber or just looking for something new to play, here are nine great games to check out:
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Now that Activision Blizzard is under the Microsoft umbrella, the publisher’s biggest franchise is part of Game Pass. And Black Ops 6 is the first new release to debut on the subscription service, including its various modes: cinematic single-player campaign and multiplayer outings like Zombies.
2. Fallout: New Vegas
Amazon’s live-action Fallout show has everyone thinking about a return to the wasteland, and Game Pass is a great way to jump into the series. The service has every game in the series from Fallout 3 on, offering a lot to choose from. I’d recommend New Vegas, which not only offers a great location in Sin City but is also part of the upcoming second season of the show.
3. Harold Halibut
If you’re looking for something a bit more laid back, Harold Halibut might be the ticket. This traditional adventure game sets itself apart with a slow and steady pace, a fascinating sci-fi world, a dry but charming sense of humor, and stunning visuals featuring real stop-motion animation. It’s the kind of game you’ll want to slow down to soak in all the small details.
4. Humanity
One of the best puzzle games in recent years is now on Game Pass. Humanity seems a little weird at first, as you control an ethereal Shiba Inu to guide mindless swaths of humans through increasingly complex mazes. But once you get used to the way things work, Humanity offers some of the most satisfying brain teasers you’ll find. Plus, the ghost dog is adorable.
5. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Reception has been mixed on this one, but it’s definitely worth checking out. The Great Circle blends elements of adventure games and immersive sims, with the whip-cracking style of Indiana Jones. That makes it something of an acquired taste, but if that’s your thing, the flavor is delicious.
6. Nine Sols
In a great year for roguelike action games, Nine Sols still stands out thanks to combat that’s so good it makes up for an underwhelming story. It’s the kind of action that rewards patience and learning to parry, making it all the more satisfying when you win a bout. As the wait for Silksong continues to drag on, Nine Sols could be just the thing to fill the gap.
7. Persona 3
If you’ve somehow finished the sprawling fantasy RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio, there are thankfully plenty of excellent older titles from developer Atlus to check out. And this year, Persona 3 – originally released on the PS2 and helping to usher the series into a new era of popularity – got an excellent remake that brings it in line with its more modern successors.
8. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
The original Hellblade was just as terrifying as it was uncomfortable – and that hasn’t changed with the sequel. Instead, the developers at Ninja Theory have expanded the scale, improved the action, and somehow made the horror elements even scarier. It’s also a rare short blockbuster game, something you can complete in around 10 hours.
9. Starfield: Shattered Space
The first major expansion for Starfield is a great excuse to jump back into this sci-fi universe. While I wish Shattered Space was a little weirder and leaned more into the cosmic horror side of things, it’s still unlike anything else in the main storyline. The expansion is also largely self-contained, so you can spend your time exploring one big planet instead of constantly jumping around the galaxy.
