Microsoft announced the Xbox Game Pass games for November 2024, and there’s quite a lot headed to Xbox’s subscription service in the month’s first half. A new Yakuza game, some inventive RPGs, and a handful of cozy farm games are just a few of the games headed to PC and console. There’s a handful of games leaving as well, including Coffee Talk, so make sure to set aside some time to get through them before it’s too late, if you can.
Your selection of horror games on Game Pass includes nearly every possible subgenre. You’ve got first-person thrillers, multiplayer games, roguelike scares, lighthearted humor, and some so frightening that you’ll think twice before looking into a mirror again. Best of all, since they’re on Game Pass for Xbox and PC, you can try them on either platform without fear of getting in too far over your head.
We’ve rounded up over a dozen of the best horror games on Game Pass for Xbox and PC to try, whether you’re allergic to scares or need something downright terrifying.
Xbox head Phil Spencer is interested in reviving classic Activision Blizzard games for Xbox Game Pass and being a “custodian” for games, at least as far as Xbox Games Studios are concerned. Spencer made the comments on the official Xbox podcast a few days after the Xbox-Activision Blizzard deal closed and said Xbox’s goal is encouraging its studios to pursue projects they’re passionate about.
“I just don’t think that a team working on something that isn’t their passion leads to the best result,” Spencer said. “So I might have my list of things from my memories and history that I want to see made again. Everybody will.”
“When I just think about, not just about Activision-Blizzard-King, you add in Bethesda, you add in Xbox’s history, Rare… the amount of franchises that we now have in our portfolio is kind of inspiring,”. “It’s daunting. I feel that we have to be a great custodian for the content that we touch.”
Spencer said that when an Xbox studio does bring a game back to life, he wants to make sure they do it with motivation and a desire to work on it without a mandate hanging over them.
There’s probably a good reason for Spencer saying that. Arkane’s Redfall was reportedly made by a team that didn’t want to make the game Redfall turned into, but had no choice as first Bethesda and then Xbox pushed for a multiplayer, live-service game. Spencer then said that Arkane didn’t meet its own creative goals and was taking feedback on improvement.
He also said Game Pass provides studios an opportunity to experiment with projects that might not warrant more intensive budgets. Pentiment, the medieval mystery game from Obsidian, was one such project, a game that only exists thanks to Game Pass and found not only its niche on the platform, but critical acclaim as well.
Activision Blizzard certainly has a robust portfolio of classic games to dig through. From Pitfall and the FPS classic Hexen, to licensed games like X-Men and Star Trek, and even some more niche games, including the Lost Kingdoms RPG on Gamecube. Sure, we called it one of the worst Gamecube games, but maybe a fresh coat of paint and some tweaks could help make it a bit better.
Microsoft is ending the $1 Xbox Game Pass trial just days before Starfield’s launch, the publisher’s most anticipated game in years
Microsoft is ending the $1 Xbox Game Pass trial just days before Starfield’s launch, the publisher’s most anticipated game in years. Since Microsoft owns Bethesda, the makers of Starfield, the space game will land on Game Pass the day it launches – Sep. 6, 2023 – but if you’re keen on trying without buying, you’ll have to pay a full month’s subscription.
Microsoft made no statement about the change, which seems to have happened quietly. Polish gaming site XGP first noticed that the option for the two-week, $1 trial no longer existed on the Game Pass website (thanks, Pure Xbox). At the time of writing, the option is still gone.
Your choices now are paying $10.99 for one month on console; $9.99 for a month on PC; which also includes EA Play at no extra cost; or $16.99 for a month of Game Pass on console and PC.
Removing the trial is an unexpected move, but if your only goal is playing Starfield, it’s admittedly not a bad price. You’re essentially paying a sixth of the game’s price and getting it for a month before deciding whether to renew. Not ideal, but not terrible, though you might need to get a second month if you plan on playing Starfield‘s New Game plus, a first for Bethesda.
Microsoft announced the first wave of Xbox Game Pass games for August, and a hit space game and an indie classic are leading the charge
Microsoft announced the first wave of Xbox Game Pass games for August, and a hit space game and an indie classic are leading the charge. Some games in this initial wave are available now, with others rolling out through Aug. 15, 2023, when Xbox will announce the rest of the month’s games.
First up is Celeste, the mountain climbing platformer that’s about self-discovery as much as it is navigating tricky situations and collecting strawberries. It’s a harsh, but forgiving game where failure only sends you back to the start of the room you were in.
Everspace 2, a more recent game, is also landing on Xbox’s subscription service. It’s a bigger and better version of the original Everspace with a set of immensely satisfying flight and ship modification systems, along with a surprisingly poignant story.
If you’re after something more leisurely, check out A Short Hike, a cozy game where you explore the serene woods and lakes along a popular hiking trail as an adorable bird.
Here’s the full list of August Game Pass games and which platforms they’re on.
Aug. 1, 2023
Celeste (Console, PC, cloud)
Aug. 3, 2023
A Short Hike (Console, PC, cloud)
Aug. 8, 2023
Broforce Forever (Console, PC, cloud)
Aug. 9, 2023
Limbo (Console, PC, cloud)
Aug. 10, 2023
Airborne Kingdom (Console, PC, cloud)
Aug. 15, 2023
Everspace 2 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S)
A few popular games are leaving on Aug. 15, 2023, as well.
Microsoft announced an increase in the Xbox Game Pass price for console and ultimate subscribers starting in July 2023
Microsoft announced an increase in the Xbox Game Pass price for console and ultimate subscribers (thanks, The Verge). The price change goes into effect on July 6, 2023, for anyone who isn’t a Game Pass subscriber, while current subscribers will start paying more on Aug. 13, 2023.
The console Game Pass price will increase from $9.99 to $10.99, while console ultimate subscribers will be paying $16.99 instead of $14.99. This increase marks the first time Xbox has raised the price of its subscription service since the platform launched in 2017.
“We’ve held on our prices for consoles for many years and have adjusted the prices to reflect the competitive conditions in each market,” Kari Perez, Xbox’s head of communications, told The Verge. “These Game Pass price adjustments are not related to the Activision Blizzard deal, and are intended to match local market conditions.”
The news comes a few months after PlayStation raised the price of its consoles in countries outside the United States, after which Xbox said it wouldn’t be raising the price of its products – for the time being. Console prices are increasing in Europe and elsewhere, though for now, the cost of the Xbox Series X|S remains the same as when the consoles first released.
Microsoft announced the Xbox Game Pass games for May 2023, and FIFA leads the charge, with some indie gems close behind
Microsoft announced the Xbox Game Pass games for May 2023, and FIFA leads the charge, with some indie gems close behind. As always, the May game launches will happen at a staggered rate, with some out now and some releasing near the end of the month. A handful of games will also leave the service at the end of May, though not as many as usual this time.
These are in addition to the other, smaller round of games that landed on the service earlier in the month, including Redfall.
Here’s everything on offer this month with an active membership.
Ah, spring – a time when birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and where we all prepare for the inevitable summer heat waves. Thankfully, Xbox Game Pass gives us plenty of reasons to stay inside and avoid natural light whenever possible.
Over the next couple of weeks, Xbox Games Pass subscribers will have loads of exciting releases to try out. We’ll list everything up for grabs below – all details come directly from Xbox Wire.
Xbox Game Pass games for May 2023
Available Now
Redfall (Xbox Series X|S, cloud, and PC)
May 4
Ravenlok (console, cloud, and PC)
May 8
Weird West: Definitive Edition (Xbox Series X|S)
May 9
Shadowrun Trilogy (PC)
May 11
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 (console, cloud, and PC)
The inclusion of Redfall makes this one of the biggest weeks for Xbox Game Pass since it’s a significant first-party effort from Microsoft and Bethesda. It’s also crossplay on all platforms if that’s appealing to you.
Now comes the bad news: several games will soon be removed from the service. Below, we’ll list everything leaving Xbox Game Pass on May 15, 2023. Remember, if you want to keep any of these, there’s a generous 20 percent discount off the purchase price with an active membership.
Before We Leave (console, cloud, and PC)
Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair Anniversary Edition (console, cloud, and PC)
Hearts of Iron IV (PC)
Her Story (PC)
Umurangi Generation: Special Edition (console, cloud, and PC)
If you’re wondering whether the Asus ROG Ally or Steam Deck is better for you, here’s how they both stack up in terms of specs
ASUS is gearing up to release the ROG Ally, a handheld gaming PC that looks – and likely performs – like a rival for Valve’s Steam Deck. The Steam Deck has been wildly successful as gamers are turning to portables to get their gaming fix. The Steam Deck proved an instant hit with fans who wanted to play their PC games without actually being at their PC, but the platform certainly has its share of issues, including battery life and performance.
Here’s how they both stack up based on the ROG Ally’s official speculations.
NHL 23, Minecraft Legends, Ghostwire Tokyo, and much more are up for grabs.
It’s time once again for another wave of Xbox Game Pass titles curiously of Microsoft. What’s that – your backlog is bursting at the seams and can’t take much more? Too bad, friend.
Xbox Game Pass members can scoop up some absolute bangers over the next couple of weeks – especially those wonderful sickos that love spooky horror adventures and hockey (folks with good taste, basically). As always, this information comes straight from Xbox Wire.
Xbox Game Pass games for April 2023
Available Now
Loop Hero (console and PC)
April 6
Iron Brigade (console, cloud, and PC)
April 12
Ghostwire: Tokyo (console, cloud, and PC)
April 13
NHL 23 (console)
Note:NHL 23 requires an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
April 18
Minecraft Legends (console, cloud, and PC)
It’s a decent selection this month, all told. Ghostwire Toyko, in particular, is interesting since this marks its official release on Xbox – it was only on PS5 and PC last year. Of course, NHL 23 is probably worth checking out too.
Sadly, it’s not all good news – several titles are leaving Xbox Game Pass soon. We’ll list everything going on April 15, 2023, below.
Life is Strange: True Colors (console, cloud, and PC)
Moonglow Bay (console, cloud, and PC)
Panzer Corps II (PC)
Rainbow Six Extraction (console, cloud, and PC)
The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk (console, cloud, and PC)
The Long Dark (console, cloud, and PC)
The Riftbreaker (console, cloud, and PC)
Remember: there’s a 20 percent discount off the purchase price for every game leaving the service. So if you want to keep any of these forever, get to it!
Don’t forget that Xbox Game Pass updates so often that March’s offerings are still available.
