03 May 10 Best Xbox Game Pass Games (May 2023)
Microsoft Office
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Microsoft Office High Stakes
Redfall
Microsoft Office Viking Friends
Valheim
Microsoft Office Aesthetic Alchemy
Potion Craft
Microsoft Office Ship Shape
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Xbox Game Pass is one of the few subscriptions I’ve kept around while other services got the chop. The $15 monthly fee for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate feels worth it because I get to choose from over 100 titles and regularly download new additions. In a year, the cost breaks down to about the price of three AAA games.
An Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription comes with access to EA Play and Xbox Live Gold. If you’re not interested in online multiplayer games, Microsoft offers a more budget-friendly tier that costs $10 a month. For gamers not on Xbox, PC Game Pass ($10/month) has many of the same titles. (Got a PlayStation or Switch? Check out our guide to the most popular game subscription services.)
To help you choose which ones to download first, WIRED sifted through the Game Pass catalog and rounded up outstanding titles we think you’ll enjoy. From recent releases to excellent throwbacks, our genre-spanning picks for the best Game Pass games have a little something for all players.
On the hunt for even more recommendations? Two great resources are WIRED’s roundups of the best Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S games.
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Courtesy of Bethesda
High Stakes
Redfall
Oh no, the vampires, they’re taking over Massachusetts! Can your intrepid squad restore order to the blood-dripping chaos? Redfall is an open world game from Arkane, the celebrated development team behind games like Prey and Deathloop. Alone or with friends, you shoot and loot through a town ruled by vampires and their cult-ish followers. Look, it’s not a perfect game by any means. You might experience a few bugs, and the enemy AI could be more responsive. With that in mind, Redfall is a decently fun experience worth trying out for a few hours with friends who have a subscription to Game Pass and want to stake some vampires right through the heart.
Available on Game Pass for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
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Courtesy of Iron Gate AB
Viking Friends
Valheim
An enthralling spin on the survival genre first released in 2021, Valheim is finally available to play on console as well as on PC. As a Viking, you craft cool armor, build outposts for your friends, and battle your way through harsh environments with their help. It’s a game that’s best enjoyed with multiple browser tabs open, so don’t be afraid to search for help on how to get started or how to emerge victorious from nasty boss battles. It’s possible to survive in Valheim, but only if it’s Odin’s will.
Available on Game Pass for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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Courtesy of NicePlay Games
Aesthetic Alchemy
Potion Craft
Get your mortar and pestle ready! In Potion Craft, you collect the tastiest mushrooms and the smelliest herbs to mash, blend, and sell to the townsfolk. Be prepared to haggle with stingy customers who drive a hard bargain. Also, don’t hand out mediocre concoctions often or your alchemist’s reputation will suffer. The idyllic business management sim is a soothing way to spend an evening.
Available on Game Pass for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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Courtesy of EA Games
Ship Shape
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Although the next installment for the Mass Effect series remains in the distant future, this remastered trilogy from BioWare is an engaging set of games for science fiction aficionados. Returning players may find satisfaction in revisiting the 2007 release; new players might enjoy playing an accessible piece of history that continues to impact contemporary games. If you can look past a cumbersome user interface, the overall experience is worth it.
Available on Game Pass for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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