Xbox Game Pass is too popular for mortals to ignore and we’re no better. Player.com has compiled a list of the five best upcoming Xbox Game Pass titles to add to your bucket list. Some of them are new to the Xbox Game Pass, while others are part of the games in rotation for March 2024. Fortunately, you’ll find adventure games and action RPGs on the list.
Also Read: Phil Spencer Stands Firm: Xbox’s Strong Support for Physical Media Amid Digital Business Rumours
Xbox Game Pass: 5 Upcoming Titles
Xbox Game Pass titles are fun, especially ones like Metro Exodus. However, they’re always adding new games every month, so you never know which game is next. If you’re a subscriber or you want to opt in, below are five of the best additions to Game Pass.
#1: NBA 2K24
NBA 2K24 is a challenging sports game that takes you back to every basketball era there is. The gameplay rewards skill and effort to some extent, but heinous microtransactions are in the way. Still, being able to ball like Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, and Kobe Bryant is sensational. One of the biggest features this year is ProPLAY, which is a new motion capture technology.
It allows 2K to transform raw basketball footage into 3D animations that are smoother than its prequels. All of your movements are smoother than ever, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and all other types of movements. Playing as LeBron James is lifelike, especially if your TV is capable of 4K. Play NBA 2K24 if you don’t like being cheated by the AI to imitate a challenge.
There are also other modes in MyCareer, such as Shut It Down and they’re incredibly fun. Shut It Down lets you play on the streets, so you can expect flashy dribbles and riskier manoeuvres from the players. Finally, you can play online with your friends, regardless of whether they’re using an Xbox Cloud or PlayStation console.
#2: Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
Warhammer 40,000’s lore has always been fantastic. The idea of superhuman soldiers who serve under a tyrannical regime that conscripts children is attractive. This time around, you’re a veteran Space Marine who battles Chaos Space Marines and their daemons. Unlike Warhammer 40,000: Space Marines 2, which is a third-person game, this one takes place in first person.
Its fast-paced gameplay and horde-like enemies will remind many players of Doom and its titular character, Doomguy. Moving forward, the AI in Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is one of a kind, so each combat encounter is fun. Nevertheless, the campaign is fantastic, telling the story of Malum Caedo and his attempts to obtain a Power Source. The Power Source can be used to open rifts for Chaos enemies to pass through and it’s vital for closing them. So, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is a race against time.
#3: Control: Ultimate Edition
Control: Ultimate Edition is a game of mind-bending realities and disturbing abilities that belong in a Matrix movie. This edition of the game also includes all of its DLCs. Yet, Remedy Entertainment keeps the loop going by entangling Control’s protagonist with Alan Wake, the horror novel writer. The story is also tight, as you’re an operative for the Federal Bureau of Control, which is an organisation that investigates the paranormal.
Throughout the 12-hour-long campaign, your weaponry transforms based on your needs and your powers are purely telepathic, so smashing enemies to death is acceptable. Let’s remember that Control: Ultimate Edition is available in 4K, and yes, it supports raytracing.
Nevertheless, its defining feature isn’t the gunplay. Rather, its existential horrors keep you on the edge of your seat because a wrong turn could lead to another murderous encounter. We look forward to Control 2 and its rollercoaster of action. In the meantime, check out Alan Wake 2, Remedy Entertainment’s latest action-horror game, where you’ll control two protagonists.
#4: Lightyear Frontier
Lightyear Frontier is a proper farming game that’s both peaceful and challenging because you’re a one-man army. You’re a farmer on a planet on the outskirts of the universe but thankfully, you have a Mech Suit to cultivate the land and harvest alien products. Additionally, you can also play Lightyear Frontier with up to three friends. Yes, everybody gets their own Mech Suit.
It’s reminiscent of Stardew Valley, but on an exotic island that looks like it was designed by Nintendo for a Super Mario role-playing game. So, you can expect many native predators and the need to build a homestead that can survive their attacks. Thankfully, your Mech Suit is your problem solver, capable of not only farming alien crops but also exploring your new home.
Yes, the Frontier is also huge, so there are tons of new and different scenes to enjoy. It’s certainly a cosy experience that you can enjoy with your partner or kid. Lightyear Frontier is also available on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, but there’s no cross-platform multiplayer. It will arrive on Xbox Game Pass on March 19, 2024.
#5: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom — Rehydrated
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom — Rehydrated is developed by Purple Lamp Studios and yes, it’s made for kids. If you’ve been looking for a familiar, yet kid-friendly adventure in the Xbox Game Pass, this is the perfect title for Easter and beyond. Naturally, you’ll play SpongeBob, Sandy, and Patrick, who are determined to bring Plankton to justice. Kids know that Plankton is evil to the core, so it’s a game that teaches kids the consequences of committing crimes.
Our Final Say: Xbox Game Pass Is Getting Competition From PS Plus
Xbox Game Pass was once the king of taking subscriptions but Sony is quickly catching up. Games such as NBA 2K24 are already available on the PS Plus and soon others will follow suit. For one, Resident Evil 3 Remake and Marvel’s Midnight Suns are already available on PS Plus. Xbox Game Pass can stay ahead of the competition by offering more value for money, which might be better discounts or games with higher reviews.