Our top 5 games we discovered in Game Pass
Game Pass has been a central talking point for anything Xbox-related since its launch in 2017. From industry fanboys saying it's ruining the market and killing video game sales to being one of the top selling points for the Xbox brand, one recurring monthly subscription for access to over 300+ games, including all future and present Xbox first-party releases, on paper it seems like a service you'd be stupid to miss out on and profit from. And yes, while it's an excellent way to get your hands on countless games, it's also a wonderful tool to expand your gaming horizons and branch out into genres or experiences that otherwise would have passed you by. From small indie titles with heartfelt emotional messages to large AAA-recognized names, here are 5 of our favorite games we got to experience because of Gamepass.
5. The Big Con:
This is our most recent entry to be added to the service, with a title we just finished yesterday at the time of writing. The Big Con throws you into a 90s-themed kaleidoscope world on a mission to save your family's video store. You'll puzzle-solve your way into the pockets and cash registers of a cast of characters who look like they were pulled from an unaired episode of "Doug" A quick 5-ish hour journey about self-discovery and figuring out what's most important in life was a delight that I could see being overlooked in the online storefront.
4. Hi-Fi Rush:
Xbox's surprise shadow drop hit of 2023 is an absolute must-play for anyone who likes getting into the rhythmic nuances of action games. We say that quite literally, as all of the combat is rhythm-based, and trying to time attacks to the beat of the music playing is one of the most satisfying moment-to-moment experiences you'll have this year. What it nails in its gameplay mechanics Hi-Fi Rush equally nails down its visual art style and comedic delivery to 11. The transitions from gameplay to cutscenes while changing between 2-3 different animation styles in the same scene are a credible achievement for the team over at Tango Gameworks. I'm excited to see Chai and the rest of his band of misfits become a larger part of the Xbox branding and become a recognizable face on the box.
3. Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Tossed headfirst into a world lost of all color, quite literally, Chicory is a beautifully crafted journey exploring the depths of criticism, self-doubt, or just trying to find your place in the world. Taking the mantle of weilder," after acquiring a magical paintbrush, you venture across Picnic Province, painting in the world and returning the joy of expression and creativity to the world around you. That creativity transfers over to gameplay as well, whether you want to mainline the story and only color what you need to for puzzles or if you want to take your time and artfully craft every screen you come across, giving the world your own twist. Chicory has been critically acclaimed across the industry within the "cozy game genre" and is worth your time if you want something to sit back and relax with.
2. Neon Abyss
Roguelikes aren't something I usually jump into; they don't grab me the same as other types of games, and they often have an insane difficulty curve that I don't want to mess with. Which is exactly why I was surprised when Neon Abyss had a death grip on me for 3 months after it was put into GamePass. The neon arcade style is mixed with an ever-constant edm beat to keep you going while fighting through countless levels and collecting hundreds of upgrades and powerups to help you along the way. While not revolutionizing roguelikes, everything Neon Abyss does is super solid and should make it a top-tier player in the genre.
1. Yakuza Like a Dragon
Up front, this was my game of the year for 2020. I've previously heard of the series from general video game discussion; the traditionally PlayStation brawler was making a new jump into a turn-based RPG and expanding to multiple platforms. Following the footsteps of a new protagonist, Ichiban, on a quest for revenge after being betrayed by his old crime boss and being imprisoned for 18 years. Like a Dragon is an absolute blast to play through solid classic turn-based gameplay, but turned up to 1000, the classic summons and spells you're used to are replaced with pigeons and breakdancing. Gone are the days of summoning angelic deities, now you get the likes of Mr.Masochist and Omelette the Chicken. Like a Dragon beautifully crafts off-the-wall exaggerated comedy with a heartfelt emotional story that's not afraid to put mainline masculine characters in tough situations with genuine emotion. This is the prime example of a Game Pass title that's grabbed my attention and made me a fan of the series, excited for the future entries and an entire series to revisit and experience.