Microsoft’s Game Pass service is easily worth the price of admission. Many might balk at the concept of having their video game library locked behind a subscription service, but the fact is subscribers get access to an incredible selection of titles spanning from indie darlings to triple-A blockbusters for a surprisingly affordable monthly fee.

With such a dizzying array of fantastic titles on display, it can be a daunting task deciding which ones are worth a player’s time.

Given that the cost of entry is taken care of with the subscription fee, the most pressing matter is determining the best use of your hard drive space. Thankfully, the diamonds of this collection are readily apparent. Here’s a look at the greatest games that Xbox Game Pass has to offer.

The selections listed here will include games available on EA Play, which is included with a subscription to Game Pass Ultimate.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

The adventures of the Master Chief have never been as accessible as they are in the Master Chief Collection.

This gathering of Halo games is the definitive collection of 343 Industries’ endeavors to immortalize the series. Not only is every mainline Halo game (not counting Halo 5: Guardians) included, but the fantastic Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach were added as well.

From beloved campaign co-op to thrilling Firefight matches to iconic multiplayer modes, the Master Chief Collection has it all.

Anyone who thinks of themselves as a Halo fan should consider it a must-play from Xbox Game Pass. And for those who have never completed the Master Chief’s saga, there is no better way to finish the fight.

Avowed

To “avow” means to declare.

So, an example of the correct usage of the word would be “I avow that Avowed is a fantastic title from Obsidian that I’ve currently sunk a lot of time into.” In all seriousness, while Avowed is not a game-changer RPG on the level of Baldur’s Gate 3, it is an engaging romp in the world we grew accustomed to within the Pillars of Eternity series.

You play as an envoy from the colonizing empire of Aedyr, sent to discover and stop a plague known as the Dreamscourge on a far-off (prospective colony) continent.

It’s a set-up ripe with potential, and as you explore the gorgeous world of the Living Lands set before you, you can feel that potential in every lore document you find, NPC quest you embark on, and unique weapons you discover.

While Avowed’s style might not appeal to everyone, its inclusion within the Xbox Game Pass library makes checking it out a ripe prospect for subscribers.

Kingdom Two Crowns

There is an understated, elegant simplicity to playing Kingdom Two Crowns.

You (and one other player if you so choose) gallop across a pixelated 2D screen, surveying your kingdom, building your fortifications, and defending your citizens from the monsters that come at night. And when you’ve built up enough defense and shored up your realm’s power, you can expand your kingdom, galloping to new but equally gorgeous pixelated 2D environments.

As you play, it’s surprising how such simple mechanics can draw you in.

That’s all there is to it.

And it’s perfect as is. Kingdom Two Crowns doesn’t over-stuff itself with mechanics you have to learn that don’t really feel relevant. Taking your steed across the land, slaying beasts, and collecting resources is utterly straightforward. It’s beautiful, and it’s a joy to play with a friend.

Starbound

Every so often, as we comb through Xbox Game Pass’ library looking for the best games to recommend, we come across some truly hidden gems.

I had never heard of Starbound before I gave it a try this past week (at the time of writing this update). All I had to go on were some shared screenshots, the game’s description, and a brief trailer. Imagine my delight and surprise at finding a game that not only rivals Terraria in the freedom and exploration of this genre, but, in my opinion, surpasses it.

The short sell of Starbound is to describe it as “Terraria in space.” But even with all that implies, it feels like we’re underselling it.

The sheer variety of planets you can visit, self-made careers you can undertake, and ship-crafting options make this a notch above your above-average game. While there were a few hiccups while playing (the game’s UI was very clearly made with PC players in mind), nothing can blemish that shine of the genuine hidden gem that Starbound is.

If you at all feel positively inclined toward Terraria, we beg you to give Starbound a try as well.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

If you haven’t played the first Citizen Sleeper, stop what you’re doing right now.

That’s right. Stop reading this entry, download Citizen Sleeper on your Xbox (it’s on Game Pass), and play it. Citizen Sleeper is one of the best RPGs in recent years, and yes, we’re aware Baldur’s Gate 3 is a thing. The first game embraced a dice-focused element of role-playing that added chance to your Sleeper’s struggles to free themselves from a life of servitude.

(“Servitude” is putting it mildly.)

The sequel picks up where the first left off, and ups the risk of your hopeful venture through the Starward Belt. You need to complete contracts and help your crew in order to make it to the end and see your troubles rewarded. Futility will feel like the name of the game, but it’s all about the friends you make along the way.

I know the market can seem like it’s oversaturated with RPGs, but Citizen Sleeper 2 is a must. Especially if you’ve already played the first. (And if you haven’t, what are you doing? You were supposed to go play it before you finished these paragraphs.)

Hunt: Showdown 1896

Extraction shooters have nearly reached critical mass.

Much like the height of the semi-recent battle royale explosion, they’re a dime a dozen. While each iteration tends to struggle to innovate meaningfully on the core formula, Hunt: Showdown 1896 definitely doesn’t.

Hunt: Showdown’s dark fantasy, pseudo-western setting does well enough to set it apart, but crowbars enough additional spins on the established extraction shooter elements to keep you on your toes.

Taking the role of a monster-slaying bounty hunter, players — whether solo or working with up to two teammates — are charged to investigate a huge, murky, unforgiving map to hunt down and kill a boss monster, collect the bounty, and then escape with their prize.

While the map’s PVE enemies — various zombie-like creatures and other horrors — pose a threat alongside the bounty target, the more dangerous enemy by far is your fellow hunter.

If you’re killed on your way to the extraction point, it’s easy as pie for the offending party to swoop by and claim your bounty instead. All in all, Hunt: Showdown 1896 is a delightfully unique setting for a genre otherwise mired in conventional approaches.

Road 96

There are few games quite as ambitious as Road 96, it’s a game that weaves a branching dialogue narrative with procedural generation to create a one-of-a-kind role-playing experience.

That ambition creates some uneven sections, but it succeeds more than it misses.

It’s a game steeped in political discourse, that has youth trying to escape their country through the game’s namesake: Road 96. Unlike most narrative adventures, the player’s character isn’t guaranteed to survive the ordeal, but the cast of characters encountered along the way each have their own plots that move forward with each escape attempt.

Carrion

We love a good horror game.

Or as Carrion describes itself, a “reverse-horror” game. You play as an amorphous, reddish blob monster that seeks to escape from the confinement it finds itself in and swallow-with-its-body all the unlucky scientists and military guys that find themselves in its path. It’s visceral without being too visually demanding on your eye-holes, and, more importantly, it’s fun.

All too often we find ourselves playing horror games where you have to run away from a monster, hide yourself in a locker from a monster, shoot ineffectual weapons at a monster, or puzzle your way past a monster.

Now, we’re the monster. We chase down people fleeing from us, rip them out of their hiding places, (mostly) tank the bullets they send our way as meager self-defense, and puzzle our way to a grotesque feast. It’s great. 10/10.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

We’re never going to turn down the chance to play our favorite retro games, especially when they come to Xbox Game Pass.

We’ve seen a suite of Activision titles make their way to Microsoft’s premier subscription service, and while Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is all well and good, nothing beats an old-school 3D platformer. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy lets you jump, soar, and, well, platform your way through the nostalgia of the original trilogy.

We’ve got Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!

and Spyro: Year of the Dragon, all redone for this glorious remaster. It’s both a great entry point for people who have never heard of Spyro (gasp) and a total nostalgia trip for anyone who played and loved the games as kids. There are a few hiccups in the gameplay that showcases Spyro’s age, but that’s all part of the Reignited Trilogy’s charm.

Nine Sols

There are actually a host of solid Metroidvania-like titles currently available on Xbox Game Pass (at least at the time of this writing).

We have Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Hollow Knight, Have a Nice Death, and that’s just naming a few. And they’re all great. So as you can probably imagine, it’s a superlative feat to stand out among a crowd as tall and illustrious as this. And to our delight, Nine Sols manages to do just that.

Nine Sols is a Metroidvania that has taken clear inspiration from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, with a parry mechanic that encourages a sort of risk-reward style to combat.

The story is intriguing, the art style is phenomenal, and the platforming feels incredibly crisp. If you have enjoyed any of the games we’ve listed above, you absolutely have to give Nine Sols your time and attention, because it was skillfully and lovingly made for players like us.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle does for the character of Indiana Jones what the Arkham series does for the character of Batman.

At the risk of sounding super trite, I’m going to say that The Great Circle makes you feel like you are Indiana Jones.

You solve archaeological puzzles in dusty and trap-riddled catacombs. You engage in impromptu and often hilarious fisticuffs with fascists at almost every turn. You stumble onto victories in a haphazard and charming fashion a la every Indiana Jones win in the films.

MachineGames’ take on this beloved icon absolutely knocks it out of the park. And I’d even go so far as to say that even if you’ve never heard of Indiana Jones before in your life, The Great Circle is not a bad place for an introduction to this absolute legend of a character, fedora and all.

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

Crash Team Racing, by virtue of its genre alone, is a gem in the Xbox Game Pass library.

While a decent amount of realistic racing sims can be found in its catalog, most notably the Forza Horizon series, there are no arcade racers in the vein of Mario Kart. At least, there wasn’t before. Enter Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled! It’s already a novelty for this fact. However, it’s also a thoughtful remake of a classic character-driven arcade racer that’s way more fun than you might initially think.

Crash and the gang are back to speed, hop, and bully their way to the finish line in Nitro-Fueled, with updated visuals, mechanics, the works.

Plus, if you were a fan of the original, it’s a straight shot of nostalgia playing through the game’s Adventure Mode.

Aliens: Dark Descent

Dark Descent is a sharp departure from recent Alien universe video game adaptations — rather than a white-knuckle, eerie first-person horror affair or a rambunctious third-person horde shooter, we’re getting tactical with a squad of Colonial Marines in a rewardingly tense and methodical XCOM-adjacent experience.

That considered, fans of the XCOM formula will find themselves right at home… sort of.

The heart of the game revolves around managing, upgrading, and of course, leading your motley squad of would-be Alien hunters through intense up-hill battles, making constant fight-or-flight decisions when those nasty Xenomorphs get eyes on you and start bugling for their friends. And in a seeming nod to the franchise’s horror roots, the rigors of facing such cataclysmically terrifying foes takes a psychological toll on your marines — you’ll need to eye their stress levels and mental health as closely as their physical health.

However, the game is real-time rather than turn-based, adding an extra layer of frenetic stress to an already-taxing tactical situation.

You can slow down (see: practically stop) time to assess the situation and issue commands, but something about seeing every action carried out in real time just spices things up a notch. All in all, if a frankensteined genre classification like “real-time tactical action horror” tickles your fancy, you’re in for a good time.

Goat Simulator: Remastered

Ages ago, in what feels like another lifetime, we included Goat Simulator on this list of the best games on Xbox Game Pass.

We felt, as we do today, that the ability to cause chaos in a small town/city as a rambunctious goat is a must-play experience. With the release of Goat Simulator: Remastered, you now have the chance to cause goat chaos once again. Only this time, all the DLC is included in the package.

You can goat-hop your way to Goat City Bay, Goat Z, or Goat MMO and engage in goat-like shenanigans to your heart’s content.

If you’ve played the game before, this is now a comprehensive way to do it again. And if you’ve never played the game before, you can educate yourself in the ways of the goat in a fuller fashion. All goat, all the time.

Little Kitty, Big City

We all felt the hurt when Stray first launched on PlayStation 5 and not on Xbox; there was a noticeable absence of quality games where we could play as a cat on Xbox Game Pass to ameliorate that wound.

But Little Kitty, Big City came along to save the day, and, if we may be so bold, it is a bit better than a certain PS5 game that has already been named. In Little Kitty, Big City, you go on numerous adventures around a city getting up to mischievous cat pranks on its denizens.

You have almost total freedom about where to go and what to do and who to mess with.

You’re not stuck with a linear story; what kind of proper cat would you be if your tale was told on guardrails. Rather, like Untitled Goose Game, you’re given a loose objective and then the world is your oyster. The various catastrophes (pun intended) that you can cause are all at your fingertips.

Or should we say, toebeans? Little Kitty, Big City might not be a soulful journey, but it very much captures the essence of what it means to be a cat.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Another year, another Call of Duty!

In seriousness though, as the first of (likely) many flagship Call of Duty releases to hit Game Pass on day one, Black Ops 6 was something of a definitive step for the franchise post-acquisition — and it can be safely said that it dressed to impress.

The core Call of Duty staples are all there, so if you’re solidly an anti-CoD first-person shooter afficionado, Black Ops 6 won’t change that.

It’s a streamlined CoD mil-sim through and through, but it does execute and iterate on that core formula in fine fashion. Particular gameplay accolades have gone to the refined movement system, and deservedly-so — Black Ops 6’s “omni-directional” movement system (along with some other bits and bobs) add a bit of fluid depth to the moment-to-moment that’s better experienced than explained.

Black Ops 6 comes with the expected (and expansive) multiplayer suite and zombie modes, but does what the series does best among its CoD brethren with the campaign.

Woods, Adler, and more are back alongside a rogue’s gallery of characters in a cinematic, part stealthy spy, part action movie thrillride that doesn’t disappoint in regards to the series’ classic pedigree (if we ignore a few of the interim entries, naturally) for solidly written and executed single-player campaigns. If you're a Game Pass subscribed CoD fan or just enjoy a good FPS romp, then Black Ops 6 is a solid treat with a lot to offer.

Donut County

Donut County is an oddly satisfying puzzle game in the vein of quirky puzzlers like Katamari Damacy.

Its mechanic is simple: players control a small hole that can be moved underneath objects in the world — anything small enough will tumble into the abyss and be gone forever. It's a simple premise but players young and old can enjoy gobbling up the world around them making the bottomless pit bigger and bigger.

Not only that, but Donut County has a colorful cast of characters, clever dialogue, and an altogether fun world to explore.

It's a short title that doesn't overstay its welcome, making an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a unique novel game to spend an afternoon playing.

Inscryption

Inscryption is a delightfully dark indie adventure that’s difficult to put into a tidy little box — but really, that’s a big part of its charm.

Plotwise, we’re following Luke Carder, essentially a YouTuber that finds some map coordinates on the back of some old, niche TCG cards that lead to him finding an old PC game. Yes, we’re going a little Inception-y here, as you’ll basically be playing a game within a game. Things just get weirder from that point and on, and are better experienced than explained.

It’s a surreal, horror-adjacent experience that gets pretty cerebral, and the game does very little hand-holding in terms of figuring out the lore and narrative. We’ll leave it at that rather than unpacking a four paragraph synopsis and ruining the fun.

But in terms of gameplay, the core elements revolve around playing the aforementioned found game, a roguelike deck-building card battler that evolves a bit with each of the game’s three “acts.” You’ll also play through brief interludes from a small hodgepodge of popular genres and niches — some puzzling, some light RPG bits, that sort of stuff.

In summary, if you’re looking for a retro indie art house experience that’ll keep you thinking, there’s definitely a reason Inscryption made such a splash upon its 2021 release. If you’ve got an active Game Pass subscription, treat yourself and find out why.

Sifu

As soon as we heard that Sifu would be added to the Xbox Game Pass library, we knew immediately it would have a spot on our list of best games.

This might be a bit of a controversial choice given the game’s notorious difficulty, but we can’t help it. Sifu is probably the only game that’s ever made us feel like a legit action star, like a living breathing John Wick, and that’s saying something. Plenty of action games in this vein attempt to make you feel like an amazing martial artist.

However, Sifu accomplishes this not through fancy quick-time button presses or realistic graphics, but by sheer perseverance.

As you play through each level, failing and aging your character too soon multiple times, you grow into the star of this gritty and nicely stylized kung fu movie. It’s an arduous process, believe you me. But there is nothing in the world quite like the feeling of nailing every punch, every dodge, every parry, perfectly, on that last final run of vengeance.

We Love Katamari Reroll+ Royal Reverie

The best way to play a Katamari game is to play a remastered version, and thanks to We Love Katamari Reroll+ Royal Reverie being added to Xbox Game Pass, we can do just that.

For those of you who have never experienced the happiness of a Katamari game, allow us a brief moment to describe the gameplay. Your little character runs around collecting things (making a “katamari”) the way a kid would roll a snowball around in the snow to make a bigger snowball.

Except in We Love Katamari, you’re not gathering snow. You’re gathering so much more.

From papers to flowers to animals to people to buildings to cities to planets, you just roll your katamari around and collect everything in sight. There’s a tad more to it than that, such as being able to play it in co-op and the added element of collecting-joy that brings, but this is the essential DNA of We Love Katamari.

It’s a gosh-darned delight. Go play it.