Since its debut, Xbox has put a heavy emphasis on Game Pass. The subscription has grown a lot since then, with first-party Xbox games being added on day one and a strong lineup of third-party games helping to bolster the offerings. Plus, new games are added to the service frequently, rotating games in and out regularly. It means there’s almost always something new on offer.
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Best New and Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Games
Age of Empires 4 - Available Now
While it’s exclusive to PC, there’s plenty ofreasons to be excited aboutAge of Empires 4,the most recent entry in the long-running RTS franchise. It scratches an itch that few other titles do right now in one of the most modern formats available.Age of Empires 4is already a hit on Steam, though it’s also available to download on Xbox Game Pass for PC right now. Reviews have been solid thus far, so there’s plenty of reason to check it out. Even those that are familiar with the genre may want to give it a try, asAge of Empires 4features a pretty intuitive tutorial system to get players up to speed.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Anniversary Edition - November 11
Plus,Skyrim: Anniversary Editionwill feature a next-gen update, so it should be an all-around smoother experience. That next-gen update will be included with the Xbox Game Pass version, as well as all of the otherAnniversary Editioncontent. Of course, the sheer number ofSkyrimports out in the wild has become something of a joke, though this does seem like a strong candidate for the last version ofSkyrimto release, at least untilThe Elder Scrolls 6makes its debut at some point in the future.
Back 4 Blood - Available Now
While the Halloween season is now over, fall is still a good time to play horror games or action-horror-FPS games likeBack 4 Blood. Coming from the developers behind the originalLeft 4 Dead,Back 4 Bloodfeels like a modernization of the co-op shooter formulathat helped define the early Xbox 360 era of video games. While it certainly has its share of flaws,Back 4 Bloodis an exceptional way to reconnect with family and friends during the holiday season.
There’s not much else likeBack 4 Bloodon Xbox Game Passright now, and many of the other recent attempts to refine the co-op shooter formula have floundered. However, it’s certainly worth checking out assuming that players have a good group of friends to play through it with. At the very least, it’s a game worth checking out thanks to being included with the Game Pass subscription.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Definitive Edition - November 11
Thewait forGrand Theft Auto 6has been brutal, and there’s most likely still a few years to go. For those that are craving moreGrand Theft Autocontent but are feeling sick ofGrand Theft Auto 5,November will see the somewhat surprising of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - Definite Edition on November 11, the same day asSkyrim Anniversary Editionis set to land. It’ll be a pretty massive day for nostalgia, but that makes it especially sweet in a way.
With updated graphics andGrand Theft Auto 5-style controls, San Andreaswill likely feel a fair bit different from the original experience. Fans won’t really know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing until the new version launches, though it being added to Xbox Game Pass takes away pretty much all of the risks. However,Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - Definitive Editionis only coming to the console lineup of Xbox Game Pass.
It Takes Two - November 4
One of the hidden gem games of 2021,It Takes Twobuilds on the co-op groundwork Hazelight Studios established withA Way Out.However,It Takes Twodoesn’t just stop there, instead improving on the story structure, gameplay mechanics, and competitive elements that were featured inA Way Out. It forces players to work together, pushing along a heartwarming, and at times quite sad, narrative with a gorgeous art style.
Forza Horizon 5 - November 9
Last but not least, one ofXbox’s biggest exclusivesof the year will debut in just a few days, launching day one on Xbox Game Pass.Forza Horizon 5is the franchise’s first full-blown foray onto the Xbox Series X, and it’s shaping up to be a worthy entry judging by early gameplay footage.
Fans of the franchise, or even just the genre, will likely find dozens, if not hundreds, of hours worth of content to explore whenForza Horizon 5launches later this month, giving them the opportunity to explore a fully-realized region of Mexico. Developer Playground Games is promising a game that will highlight Mexican culture while providing the high-octane gameplay the franchise is known for, so it’s worth keeping on the radar.
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