Finding the right game to play can always be a challenge. Thankfully, Xbox Game Pass makes that a bit easier by offering a wide variety of games. These range from massive AAA studios like Bethesda to something much smaller like Innersloth. Similar to other streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, the catalog of games is constantly changing.
We’ve selected some of the best games for a great single-player experience to make things easier for you. Something worth mentioning is that Xbox Game Pass comes with various subscription tiers that give players access to different games. So, navigating what to play can be tricky based on what you’re subscribed to. For example, Xbox Live Gold is $10 a month, Xbox Game Pass is $15 a month, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which gives you access to both console and PC games with the option to use cloud gaming on mobile devices, is $20 a month.
To keep things simple, we’ve looked at everything offered in the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier. Those who are subscribed to the other tiers, like Core or even Xbox Live Gold, may not be able to fully utilize the list of games we’ve selected for you to play.
As Dusk Falls
It’s been a long time since I was emotionally invested in a group of characters like I was in As Dusk Falls. What’s unique about this game is that it plays a lot like the classic Telltale series, in which you watch a series of cutscenes play out and you select the best possible outcome you see fit. What’s great about the game is that it follows a group of strangers with unique stories that eventually come together dramatically. By the time you reach the end of the game, you’ll likely be questioning if you made the right choices. If not, you can always load it back and start a whole new campaign to see how differently things play out.
Avowed
If there’s one thing Obsidian Entertainment knows how to do, it’s make great single-player games. In a lot of ways, Avowed feels like a return to form for the studio and a great peek into what the team has in store for itself. For those unaware, it takes place in the Pillars of Eternity universe but stands on its own. When I had played this game earlier this year, I remember sinking countless hours into it and getting lost in the world around me. Similar to other games like Skyrim or even Fallout, there’s so much to do. But the game handles it in a way that’s not overwhelming, and that’s what really makes Avowed shine. On top of that, the combat system is one of the best I’ve ever experienced, being able to switch from spells to guns in a matter of seconds was something I never got bored with.
Deathloop
Deathloop is one of those games that I find myself constantly thinking about. It’s mainly because of how great it is. How the time system is laid out and how everything has to be done perfectly to achieve the most optimal outcome is phenomenal. In short, Deathloop tells the story of a man stuck in a time loop, and the only way to break it is by murdering specific people before the day ends. The game gives players so much creative freedom that it is honestly shocking. The way you can murder them all is a beast of its own, and it creates unique gameplay. The nice cherry on top is that the story is engaging, and it’ll surely keep its hooks in you until the very end.
Doom: The Dark Ages
Nothing beats fighting the armies of hell after a long day. Doom: The Dark Ages is the latest game in the series, and it’s nothing less than brutal and engaging. The introduction of the shield was a great touch and adds a lot more depth to the boomer shooter genre. The Dark Ages does a fantastic job of catering to new players in the series while staying true to what Doom is at its core. Plus, if you’re looking for a fun story, what better game to play than the origins of what made Doom so iconic?
Hi-Fi Rush
Rhythm games are not as common as I’d like. That’s precisely why Hi-Fi Rush is on the list. The game tells the story of a down-on-his-luck man who dreams of being a famous rockstar in a cyberpunk-like world. If you’re a fan of rock music, this game is absolutely for you. The soundtrack is easily one of the best I’ve ever heard in a game, and even if you’re bad at keeping your rhythm, the game does a lot to help improve your skills. What’s sweet about this game is that it tells a very heartwarming story, and just about every character is as lovable as the last.
Psychonauts 2
Admittedly, I’ve never beaten the first Psychonauts. That said, I adore Psychonauts 2 for so many different reasons. It’s not often you find a game so pure you can’t help but smile each time you play it. In many ways, Psychonauts 2 feels like a blast from the past, and I mean that in the best way possible. Each level has its unique twist; the art is superb, and the voice acting is nothing less than amazing. The part that stood out about this game is its positive message on mental health and the importance of taking care of yourself. The game has much to offer, and Psychonauts 2 should be high on your Game Pass list.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order/Survivor
Whenever I try to convince someone to play Elden Ring with me, I recommend they play the Star Wars Jedi games first. That’s because it carries a lot of the Souls-like genre, but makes it easy for just about anyone. On top of that, the Jedi is a lot darker than what we’d usually get from the franchise. It deals a lot with survivor’s guilt and fear. In my opinion, the story of Cal Kestis (the series’s protagonist) is one of the best stories that Star Wars has done in a very long time. Seeing his growth from the Fallen Order to Survivor was an emotional roller coaster that was great from start to finish. It’s only excited me to see how EA wraps up the trilogy with the final game.
Wolfenstein: The New Order/The New Colossus
Killing Nazis is something I’ll never get bored of, and the team at MachineGames has mastered that art. Wolfenstein takes place in an alternate reality in which the Nazis won WW2 and, as a result, have essentially taken over the world. In the wake of that, a resistance grows, and you play as William Blazkowicz and fight back against the Nazi’s. As you’d expect from MachineGames, the story is highly compelling and carries a lot of consistent depth in both games. Story beats aside, the gunplay is perhaps some of the best I’ve ever played, and each gun feels unique and fun to shoot. On top of that, the game is packed with plenty of over-the-top action sequences that make both games shine more than they already are.
