2024 is fast approaching and Xbox is gearing up its Game Pass subscription to offer more insane games. Critically acclaimed games from 2023 and even 2024 will make the list and as is the norm, you won’t have to break the bank to play these games. For one, everyone at Player.me didn’t have to. This is because Game Pass is accessible for less than £15 per month and it boasts incredible features such as:
- Online console multiplayer is accessible via Game Pass.
- AAA games like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 are included in the package.
- Gain access to hundreds of games on your PC, console, and the cloud.
- Game Pass includes EA Play and XCloud.
£13 is a bargain price compared to the benefits that you’ll receive. So, we’re dedicating this article to the best games we expect to see on Game Pass in 2024. Some will be released in early 2024, while you won’t be able to play others until next year’s ending.
Also Read: Latest Google Play Games Beta Update: 4 Best New Features and Games for Immersive Gaming Experience
7 Best Games Coming to Game Pass in 2024
These are the titles that have been confirmed by Xbox so players can expect to play them in 2024 through Game Pass. Yes, some of these games will be released next year, but you won’t have to pay full price. In comparison, new PS Plus Extra games cost a pretty dime. Luckily, these Game Pass titles span different genres like adventure, survival, and horror.
#1: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is the sequel to 2007’s Stalker: Shadow of Chornobyl, which was a masterpiece. It’s a first-person shooter that’s immersive, unpredictable, and wild because of the variety of enemies, mutants, and anomalies that you’ll encounter in the Zone. This sequel will feature one of the biggest sandboxes to date. It’s filled with main missions, side quests, and events that you can explore at your own pace.
The closest game to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is Metro Exodus, which also boasts a variety of unique mutants and human enemies. Metro Exodus also had multiple endings and this sequel is following suit. You’re given the option to determine your future via dialogue with the different factions and NPCs of the Zone. Also, survival mechanics like hunger, radiation, bleeding, and sleeping are integrated into the protagonist.
Along the way, you’ll have access to hundreds of weapon combinations and a variety of opponents to practise with. Likewise, the visuals are cutting-edge, using the latest scanning technologies to truly bring the environment and characters to life. There’s also a dynamic day-night circle with fitting weather to further immerse players in the Zone.
Unfortunately, there’s no confirmation that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is coming to the PS5. It’s a great game and it would be a shame not to play it on Sony’s PS5. Especially with the immersive feedback of the DualSense.
#2: Ark 2
Ark 2 is being developed by Studio Wildcard and Grove Street Games using Unreal Engine 5. It’s an RPG (Check out the 10 best RPGs ever!), with survival elements so players must ration their supplies to survive. If you’ve ever watched Primal, this is similar, but it’s a game instead, where you are sent to the past. You’ll battle dinosaurs in a bid to take control of your future. Luckily, companions are at your beck and call.
The protagonist is Vin Diesel, the creative mind behind the Fast and Furious movies. He plays Santiago, whose sole purpose is protecting his daughter, Meeka. You’ll be given a repertoire of skills to conquer the past while preparing for the future. These skills include:
- Climbing.
- Parkour.
- Swinging.
- Mantling.
- Sliding.
At the core of combat are Souls-like fighting mechanics such as target lock, dodges, blocks, and staggers. You’ll hunt down both man-eating animals and human enemies who seek to end you and your daughter. Sure enough, they’ve mastered the same skills you have, but the adaptive AI at the centre of enemy combat forces players to think on their feet.
For one, enemies use a sensory-based system to track down our protagonist. They use smell, sight, and sound to pinpoint your location. To even the odds, you can use visual camouflage and environmental obstructions. To top it off, there’s a complex skill tree that’s filled with active and passive perks and abilities.
#3: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong introduces a new protagonist, named Hornet, who fights with a needle instead of a nail. She’s quicker, more agile, and stronger than our previous protagonist, so it’s easier to traverse environments. You’ll also master different powers and skills on your journey through Hallownest. At the centre of the game, you’ll battle armies of bugs on your way to the kingdom’s peak. Other features of the game that we love are:
- Explore New Environments: There are different types of environments to explore in Hollow Knight: Silksong. These include gilded cities, mossy grottos, misted moors, and coral forests.
- Craft Powerful Weapons: Your arsenal of weapons is ever-expanding, so it’s up to you to master them all. There are traps and different gadgets available for a variety of purposes.
- Quests Are Fun: Quests are fun because they’re diverse. From hunting down rare beasts to searching for lost treasure, every corner of Hollow Knight: Silksong is rewarding.
- New Foes to Battle: There are over 150 new types of enemies to fight. This includes knights, kings, assassins, monsters, and everything in between.
- Mind-Blowing Music and Soundtracks: The musical score in the game is ethereal, with many swells and bellows to ease the tension.
- Fights Are Almost Like a Dance: Due to the agile nature of Hornet, our protagonist can perform impressive acrobatic feats. You’ll dance between enemies, leaving only bones and entrails in your wake.
#4: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is being developed by Ninja Theory and published by Xbox Game Studios. Its prequel is a fantastic title that focuses on topics such as depression and PTSD. It’s a story about Senua, a Viking who wishes to free her people from eternal torment. Naturally, this is an Xbox exclusive so the visuals are mind-bending. From the trailer, we can expect the facial animations, shadows, texture, and many more physics to be industry-grade.
This sequel is a journey that blends myth with reality to create a vivid experience that’ll scare and wow players at the same time. In the last game, players fought the goddess of death and in this new game, we want to fight opponents that are bigger than life. Also, the sound engineering will be cutting-edge so gamers might want to keep their 3D headsets nearby.
As for the setting, you’ll be fighting across Viking Iceland, which is a cold and terrifying realm. It’s not only inhabited by humans but also monsters, beasts, and the undead. That said, the release date for Senua’s Blade: Hellblade 2 hasn’t been announced yet. However, we know that the game is an Xbox exclusive, so only PC gamers will get a taste besides the consoles.
#5: Avowed
Avowed is being developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. It’s a first-person shooter that’s set in the world of Eora, a realm that was first introduced in the Pillars of Eternity franchise. It’s also an RPG game, so expect to craft tons of items like healing potions, arrows, and traps. In the game, you’re given free reins over an envoy of Aedyr, who is sent to investigate the spreading plague in Eora.
Eora, or the Living Lands, is a realm that’s alive with different biomes and, thus, flora and fauna. Secrets and danger lurk around every corner, so tread carefully. Thankfully, the protagonist is a master of arms, so war is second nature to him. You’ll battle deadly creatures and more with swords, guns, shields, and spells, so expect hundreds of ways to decimate enemies. In short, Avowed is a violent game that’s only rivalled by games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Red Dead Redemption 2, and God of War 3.
Freeze foes with an ice spell and then shatter them to pieces using hammers and axes. Better yet, stun an enemy with your shield and then impale them with your sword for a quick kill. You can approach combat in any way you see fit, including using spell-based traps like Geralt of Rivia’s Yrden spells.
#6: Persona 3 Reload
Dive into a dark realm in Persona 3: Reload and conquer your fears, monsters, and nightmares. It’s a remake of 2006’s game of the same name, Persona 3. The main highlight of the game is its great lore, which speaks of the Dark Hour, a period between one day and the next. From the concept behind Persona 3 Reload to the powers you gain after your rude awakening to the Dark Hour, this remake is a must-have. Furthermore, if you factor in key features such as:
- Upgraded Visuals: Persona 3 Reload is everything that the original version isn’t. The graphics are sleek, the UI is more intuitive, and the quality-of-life features are more in-depth.
- Immerse Yourself in a Fantastic Lore: The lore behind the game is deep but the characters are the real heroes. Gone are the days of boring, life-like animated dolls! In the remake, your companions and loved ones are realistic, with upgraded facial animations and movements. Additionally, the voiceover is better than ever.
- Bond with Your Loved Ones or Go on Missions: Remember Bully from Rockstar Games? There’s a similar experience in Persona 3 Reload because of the freedom it gives players. You can decide which activities you want to spend your time on and for sure, they’re rewarding.
- Pre-Order Benefits: There are perks to ordering outfits early, including access to the Persona 4 Golden BGM Set. It features Fog, Reach Out to the Truth, A New World Fool, and Time to Make a Story.
#7: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
There are many aviation games out there, but none can hold a candle to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The game’s scope, depth, and visuals are mind-blowing since they turn you into a master of the skies. Gamers can select from a variety of planes and helicopters to chart the world. You’ll wrestle for control of your planes with sandstorms, tornadoes, and more.
However, the stunning visuals are the highlight because 2023’s version of the game was mouthwatering. Terrains, mountains, fields, islands, oceans, lakes, forests, and many more are extremely detailed. We hinted at a complex weather system but it’s deeper than that. You still have to worry about mundane factors such as flocks of birds.
Our Final Say: Game Pass Is Where It’s At
Game Pass has announced more than a dozen games already and they’re not running out of gas anytime soon. However, with 2024 on the horizon, we know that the subscription is worth its weight in gold. We’re excited for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, but other games such as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Cities: Skyline 2 will be masterpieces too.