Join The Club
There's always something new on Xbox Game Pass. Blockbuster release from a major studio? Check. Critically acclaimed follow-up to a genre classic? Check. Whether you're looking for your next obsession or a great way to spend a 20-minute break, we're here to help.
Forza Horizon 6
If you're into racing games, this one has been on your calendar for a while now. Forza Horizon is one of the most well-loved racing series, with the last two editions earning review scores of 89 and 90 from PC Gamer. Horizon 6 takes drivers to an entirely new locale, offering a 100 mph tour of a stunningly re-created Japan, from the neon urban center to the outskirts of Tokyo, where you can put the pedal to the metal. In our preview, we wrote, "Forza Horizon is about virtual tourism, going really fast, getting lots of XP for doing not-very-impressive stuff, and drooling over cars. The final game promises 550 cars and 1 pretty world to drive them in. They're the only numbers that matter."
Hades 2
The first Hades was a revelation. The story of Zagreus's escape from the underworld was tied together with stellar performances and tight combat that kept people coming back. As Supergiant Games' first sequel, Hades 2 had big shoes to fill. Luckily, it was up to the task. Much of the game remains the same; you're still using various godly powers to vanquish hordes of foes, but this time you're playing as Melinoë, Zag's half sister. In our review for Hades 2, we wrote, "it expands on the original game's imaginative take on Greek mythology, blending cerebral action RPG combat and slick narrative design into a complete package that feels distinct from the original." Supergiant just doesn't miss.
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
I never played the original Heroes of Might and Magic games, but the screenshots in magazines like PC Gamer always lit up my brain. It felt like setting up a battle between your favorite action figures. Reader, I am pleased to tell you that I have finally played a Heroes of Might and Magic game, and it was everything I hoped for. Bringing back the best of the 1999 classic Heroes of Might and Magic 3, Olden Era is a turn-based strategy game where you're exploring and fighting in equal measure. In our preview, we wrote, "Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era isn't a reimagining or a divisive reinterpretation, it's just a brilliant strategy game."
Vampire Crawlers
How do you follow up a game that more or less invents a whole genre? Turn a new one on its head. Vampire Crawlers takes the dopamine rush of Vampire Survivors and jams it into a roguelike deckbuilding game. It's not for everyone, but the rush of crafting perfect combos was a real joy for me during the hours I put into it. What can I say? I'm a sucker for slaying pixelated monsters. After all, how long could one more run take?
Subnautica 2
There's a theme running through much of this piece: sequels to or spin-offs of beloved franchises. The first Subnautica was a critical and commercial darling, pulling fans into fathoms-deep caverns in search of resources and adventure. The follow-up is the most wish-listed game on Steam, and it's a day-one release for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. The devs have promised quality-of-life upgrades, along with new survival mechanics that undergird the new world, allowing for the same sense of discovery and exploration that made so many people fall in love with the first Subnautica.
Mixtape
You know, sometimes the critical consensus, positive or negative, doesn't matter. Sometimes you want to experience something that hits hard with a ton of energy and doesn't waste a second of your time. You want a project developed and released with an indie sensibility, full of the passion that comes from the straightforward drive of having a clear goal. You want to be brought back to your final days of high school, a time rich with meaning and potential and excitement. Sometimes it's worth finding the connective tissue that ties the kid you were to the person you hoped to become. This is pop-punk band Teen Idols' 1999 release, Skinflynt. What did you think I was talking about?
Oh, also, Mixtape was an utter joy to play. Our review reads, "If you want a dose of liquid '90s nostalgia with excellent character writing, sharp direction, a killer soundtrack, and a charming sense of wonder? Mixtape is three hours of exactly that." I adored it. The performances, the style, the story, all of it. Here's hoping Stacy Rockford would approve of my song selection.
