Xbox Game PassStandard is a fantastic way to access a wide variety of games, but it can be overwhelming with so many options. The list is normally given from A to Z, which isn’t that good when trying to pick a game. Even the categories don’t really give good descriptions for games, so it’s easy to see the catalog and feel like there’s too many to make a good decision. A great idea is to have a number of games that highlight the different types and quality of titles available.
10Forza Horizon 5 Is A Racing Game For Everyone
Racing, Xbox Style
New Xbox Game Pass Titles For February 2025 Revealed, Including Several Major Titles Fans Can Get Excited About
Game Pass is getting multiple major titles in February 2025, including day-one games and big hits from recent years. Here’s what to look out for.
In addition to being beginner-friendly,Forza Horizon 5is visually stunning. The graphics look amazing, with great details on the cars, long draw distances, and changing weather. The soundtrack is also excellent and adds to the experience. Plus, the game world is large and diverse, featuring jungles, deserts, and charming cities. There arealways new activities, weekly challenges, and updatesto keep things fresh, making it a game players can come back to for a long time.
9Cities: Skylines Provides The Ultimate City-Building
Build A Dream City
Players can customize different neighborhoods with policies that affect everything from safety features to recreational activities.It’s also necessary to manage things like traffic, public transportation, and the overall happiness of their citizens, which makes the game both challenging and fun.Cities: Skylinesis definitely worth trying, as it offers a lot of creative and complex gameplay without a big cost.
8Crusader Kings Has Complex Medieval Strategy
Rule The Medieval Ages
Crusader Kings 3is a fantastic addition to the Xbox Game Pass Standard library, providing a unique strategy experience. Instead of just focusing on traditional strategy elements, the gamedives into characters and their relationships, which influence historical events. It’s the kind of game that hooks players in for countless hours thanks to the stories that unfold, letting them connect deeply with the medieval setting and its characters.
The game includes interesting features like a stress system, secrets, and the ability to create religions, making each playthrough feel different and personal. Thewarfare aspect has improved as well, with knights playing bigger parts and the impact of losing battles being significant. The game offers long-term progression through dynasty bonuses and an upgraded technology system, which is great for those who like strategic gameplay.
7Fallout: New Vegas Is A Franchise Peak
The Best Fallout For Free
Fallout: New Vegasis an amazing game available on Xbox Game Pass. Obsidian Entertainment created a rich environment filled with memorable characters and complicated choices, and it’s still one of the most beloved games in the series. What makesNew Vegasspecial is itsincredible side quests, which are often even more interesting than the main story. These exceptional quests dive into the lives and quirky issues of the people in the Mojave Desert.
Every Game Coming To Xbox Game Pass (& Every Game Leaving) In February 2025
Discover all of the games that are both coming to and leaving from the Xbox Game Pass subscription service in February 2025 to plan out the month.
Fallout: New Vegasprovides the freedom to explore and make unique decisions, including choosing to side with various factions, which arethe best in the series,like the NCR or Caesar’s Legion. The game’s Hardcore Mode increases the survival challenge by making players manage hunger, thirst, and sleep, making them think carefully about their actions. While it uses the same engine asFallout 3,New Vegasadds unique features like weapon upgrades and a gambling element.
6Halo: The Master Chief Collection Bundles An Iconic Series
Replay Halo Under Bungie
Features like modern controls, customizable thumbstick settings, and 4K/60fps improvements on Xbox consoles giveHalo: The Master Chief Collectiona fresh, modern touch. IncludingHalo Reachmakes this collection even more essential. However,the multiplayer experience is what makes this collection truly special, featuring many classic maps and game modes that feel both nostalgic and new. The matchmaking process works smoothly, offering seamless and lag-free gameplay, even forHalo 1, which wasn’t originally made for online play. Just keep in mind that a lot of people moved on toInfinitealready.
5Octopath Traveler 2 Is A Standout JRPG
Sequel To A Great Game
Octopath Traveler 2is a great addition to Xbox Game Pass, offering a great JRPG experience that takes inspiration from classic games while also bringing something new to the table. The game features a stunning HD-2D art style,combining modern graphics with a nostalgic 16-bit lookthat feels fresh and lively. Its turn-based battle system is fun, challenging players to find enemy weaknesses and use character abilities wisely in a way that makes gameplay a lot more than just pressing buttons.
While it shares some similarities with the first game, theeight main characters once again have their own unique stories, providing a rich range of experiences for newcomers and veterans of its predecessor alike. The game also offers a strong array of choices, whether it’s deciding which character’s path to follow at any given time, how to approach battles, or even choosing which townspeople to interact with. The rewards from careful strategy and the charm of the world and characters make up for some minor issues like occasional grinding.
4Stardew Valley Defines The Farming Genre
The Best Farming Sim
Stardew Valley on Xbox Game Pass is an amazing game that everyone should try. It’s a great mix of a relaxing farming simulator and a game that makes players think about managing their time well. Even though there are newer games that have improved some features,Stardew Valleyset the bar high with its satisfying gameplayand has continued to provide substantial updates with meaningful new additions. The game may feel easy at first, but it quickly becomes about planning time wisely to get the most out of each day and reach long-term goals.
Avowed’s Early Access Sets A Concerning Precedent For Xbox Game Pass
The Premium Edition for Avowed offers early access for players willing to pay, but the package doesn’t justify the price tag—and that’s a problem.
One of the best things aboutStardew Valleyis thatthere are so many activities to keep players hookedfor “just one more day.” Players can explore the randomly generated mines, learn new cooking recipes to help them gain stamina, and uncover the mysteries of Pelican Town. The game’s rich world and quirky characters make it memorable and fun to play.
3Assassin’s Creed Origins Has A Great Open World
Before All The Clutter
This is the first timeAssassin’s Creedmajorly strayed from the original formula, but it was done very wellbefore successive games started to get bloated with random things to do. The climbing and parkour movements are smooth, making it easy to get around and enjoy the scenery. The game also includes role-playing elements that let Bayek be leveled up and customized for different playstyles, whether that’s focusing on stealth or going in aggressively.
2Yakuza 0 Kicks Off An Incredible Saga
Start A Great Series
Intense street fights use the unique fighting styles of Kiryu and Majima, which are complete with powerful finishing moves.Yakuza 0is also filled with various memorable side activities. Classic arcade games likeOutRunandSpace Harrier, fishing, bowling, batting practice, karaoke singing, and even managing real estate and hostess clubs are only some of the diversions. Unlike many other crime games that focus solely on violence,Yakuza 0has a lot of memorable moments and a fun,eccentric worldthat makes the story hit harder.
1Starfield Is More Than A Disappointment
It’s Worth Trying
Despite some repetitive quests, the factions storylines are good, and the New Game+ feature is interesting. The combat is similar toFallout 4, with a variety of weapons and a boost pack that makes moving around and battling enemies more fun. What makesStarfieldstand out, especially withXbox Game Pass, is that it provides a vast, if sometimes glitchy, open-world RPG without needing to spend extra money.Starfieldand the other titles on this list are definitely worth trying.
