The best games on Game Pass are engaging, exciting, and very diverse in nature. With hundreds of games available through the service, there is no shortage of options, which can seem overwhelming at first. However, it also shows how Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S offer different titles and experiences to Game Pass subscribers.
It is one of the best value for money services for avid gamers or those who just want to try different genres. With so many titles to choose from, we’ve played a huge amount of games on the service to find the best games for those who want to start playing.
Game Pass offers explosive first-person shooters like Gears 5, ideal for mature gamers who want to go wild and explore new worlds, as well as the creative journey of Minecraft that the whole family can learn from. Others, like Forza Horizon 4, offer open world racing experiences and sports games like MLB the Show 21 will help you make your dreams come true. The best part is that all of these games are available as part of your monthly subscription rather than having to pay a little extra.
We’ve focused on providing the widest range of options, including many of the most popular genres, so there’s something for all tastes, ages and skill levels. Read on as we walk you through the best games on Game Pass.
Best of all: Forza Horizon 4 from Turn 10 Studios
At first glance, Forza Horizon 4 may seem like a standard racing game, but there’s so much more to it. It features an open world that allows you to explore the beautiful countryside that captures the essence of different regions of Britain, including Edinburgh and quaint English villages. Players can take part in races with different challenges, or they can simply roam the hills and complete different missions to unlock new cars and influence the game world.
In addition to the single player extended mode, there are cooperative multiplayer games and competitive multiplayer games. There is also a battle royal mode where the last car wins. The introduction of the Lego Speed Champions DLC has made the experience even more fun for kids to compete with Lego builds of famous supercars.
It’s all wonderfully benign and the kind of game that even non-competitive fans will love because it feels so liberating.
Best First Person Shooter: 343 Industries Halo: Master Chief Collection (Xbox One)
The original Halo game revolutionized the first person shooter game, while the original Microsoft Xbox has also become far more popular than expected. You can now play fully remastered anniversary editions of the original Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 4, as well as Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach.
It’s a huge package, which means you can spend dozens of hours delving into the complex story of Master Chief’s battle against an evil alliance. While the controls sometimes feel a little dated and the graphics a little refined, it’s an epic ride that is sure to seduce.
You don’t even have to go alone. You can play in split screen mode or online with friends before taking part in one of the many multiplayer games. The latter has a slightly smaller community than before, but a wide range of customizations keeps it pretty busy. It’s an engaging taste of gaming history.
Best Massively Multiplayer Game: Microsoft Studios Sea of Thieves (Xbox One)
If you are a social gamer, Sea of Thieves offers a tremendous amount of freedom. In it, players control their own ship as they explore the open sea and decide to rob others or discover new islands and areas.
It’s best to play with others because teamwork can make a big difference in your chances of success. Playing solo can be pretty tricky if you come across more aggressive players who want to cause you trouble, but you can still have fun browsing to see what’s out there.
However, join friends and the game will feel brand new. Create great gaming memories together with the world and deliver a personalized experience every turn. You really feel like you are part of something big, and that comes with a surprising amount of responsibility. It also looks great, with wacky jokes.
Best Third-Person Shooter:
Gears 5 is the latest in a long line of Gears of War games. They’re all available through Game Pass, but Gears 5 is less linear than its predecessor. Instead of having to follow corridor after corridor, players can truly explore the game world. This allows you to see a bit more of what is going on and gain more control over what happens next. The vast frozen tundra’s are some of the highlights here, and there are opportunities to view vehicles and just wander the land in front of you.
Extensive co-op modes and competitive multiplayer give you quite a bit of variety, and there are usually events online every week, even if the community isn’t as active as it used to be. After all, the single-player campaign is what makes it so engrossing that Gears 5 will stick in your mind for quite some time. Get ready for a lot of blood and violence.
Best Family Game: Overcooked Team 17! 2 (Xbox One)
Overripe 2! it causes a lot of strife, but in the best possible way. Players cook meals together, which seems easy enough until you remember that you have to do it very quickly and while multitasking. It’s hectic, but the intuitive controls will leave you frustrated by your inability to react quickly enough, which can lead to frivolous conversations with your family.
Its focus on cooperative play and logic controls make it perfect for the whole family and couples, with cartoonish graphics that keep it light. It’s also a great party game because it’s so easy to learn but hard to master. For those times when you go it alone, it’s still almost as satisfying to negotiate multiple levels.
Best Old School Hit: Improving Games Tetris Effect: Connected
Tetris Effect: Connected is an enhanced version of the classic game that you’ve almost certainly played before. It looks great thanks to some beautiful background textures that can become quite surreal when the action heats up. Plus, there’s the traditional magic of Tetris as you connect rows to try to clear them off the screen. It’s an experience that is both familiar and fresh thanks to the reinterpretation that takes place.
The game includes additional multiplayer features and four new modes, so there’s a lot going on here, but the magic comes from simply creating these lines and watching them fade. Being able to fight AI bosses is a nice touch, so you’re not limited to playing against real people, and everything is simple but wonderfully addictive.
Best Adult Game: Rock star Games Grand Theft Auto V (Xbox One)
If you’re looking for a game that feels really grown-up in nature, Grand Theft Auto V is for you. Even more violent than Gears 5, it’s ideal for anyone who likes detective movies and wants to play them on their game console. Grand Theft Auto V follows the story of several different criminals so you can follow things from different perspectives so you always have something to do.
You don’t even have to stick to the plot. You can explore the city sandbox style and engage in petty crimes, steal cars or just buy buildings for profit. There’s always the GTA Online option if you want to do some multiplayer as well. Grand Theft Auto V is definitely a game for adults and it’s pretty mean at times, but if you live outside of The Godfather, you’re in for a treat.
Final judgment
Forza Horizon 4 (see Amazon) is a great open-world experience that proves that driving isn’t just about racing. It looks beautiful and the Lego Speed Champions DLC is an extra treat for young and old to try.
For more explosive games, Halo: The Master Chief Collection (see Amazon) and Grand Theft Auto V (see Amazon), which showcase how grown-up gaming can be. Players can always upgrade to Overcooked! 2 (see Amazon) when they want something lighter but no less dem