There are lots of different subscription services for players to choose from, each with its own variety of perks and extensive libraries of great games. As the video game industry moves into an increasingly digital world, it seems like subscription services may be the way forward. If that's the case, different services like PS Plus will be competing even more fiercely with each other to offer the best selection of games and additional benefits, which should be good news for gamers. As it currently stands, Xbox Game Pass is definitely leading the charge when it comes to player perks.
Xbox Game Pass has consistently given gamers an impressive selection of diverse titles, from AAA behemoths to lesser-known indie gems. Its monetary value alongside its extensive digital library of PC and console games has made Xbox Game Pass a formidable service that other platforms have been trying to compete with, but that doesn't mean the service is perfect. Among its very long list of available games, there are some glaring omissions that should eventually make their way onto Xbox Game Pass.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
FromSoftware remains an incredibly popular developer in the gaming sphere, despite the notorious difficulty of the majority of its titles. With their punishing gameplay, memorable bosses and NPCs, and unique designs, FromSoftware games have set themselves apart from tons of other games in similar genres. One of the best games in recent years from the developer was the action-adventure title Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice released in 2019. The stealth-focused title received critical acclaim and became a hit with players, but it has yet to find its way onto Xbox Game Pass.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice's setting, compelling characters, epic narrative, and entertaining gameplay were all elements that helped catapult the game's popularity, and ensured that it was up there when it came to FromSoftware's most successful releases. It took some of the best bits of the Soulsborne formula and updated them while adding a few features of its own. Many fans thought that when Microsoft announced its intention to acquire Activision Blizzard – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice's publisher – this would bring a slew of games to Xbox Game Pass. The deal is yet to be finalized, so gamers still have their fingers crossed that this incredible title could still be added at some point.
Deathloop
The new IP from Arkane Lyon generated a lot of hype before it was released in 2021. Its stylish retro-inspired aesthetic, intriguing time loop mechanic and fast-paced action made Deathloop stand out and piqued player interest. Despite expectations being raised during the build-up to the game's launch, Deathloop still managed to deliver a layered narrative that made the most of its reset feature and gave players plenty of mysteries to uncover. The game's design and gameplay received particular praise and were recognized with a slew of accolades, including the Critics Choice Award at the Golden Joystick Awards 2021.
When Deathloop first launched, it wasn't available on Xbox consoles. However, this PlayStation exclusivity was for a limited time only and is set to come to an end in September 2022, a year after the game was first released. This is great news for Xbox console owners, but it also means that it makes Deathloop a very likely candidate for Xbox Game Pass. Considering Microsoft's acquisition of Arkane Studios in 2021, this addition to the subscription service seems like even more of a done deal, even if players still have a while to wait.
Immortals Fenyx Rising
Mythology has always been a popular inspiration for video games, but in recent years it seems like there's been a particular trend for Greek mythology-inspired titles like Hades, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and Ubisoft's Immortals Fenyx Rising. The latter is an action-adventure game released in 2020 which allowed players to explore a vibrant open world with different regions inspired by various Greek gods. They were also able to come face to face with a multitude of well-known mythological beasts and monsters and use Fenyx's array of weaponry and godlike powers to defeat them.
With traversal similar to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Immortals Fenyx Rising is a colorful and dynamic game that gives players plenty of options when it comes to exploration. It's a fun title that features humor as well as heart, and while it may not be the most inventive or original game on the market, it's undeniably entertaining. Immortals Fenyx Rising would be a perfect addition to Xbox Game Pass, and if recent rumors are true, this underrated gem might be on its way to the subscription service.
Dark Souls Remastered
One of the most iconic games of the last decade, FromSoftware's Dark Souls launched a critically-acclaimed series and served as the inspiration for a long list of subsequent games. Dark Souls' expansive world showed the beauty of game design and the value of a story when players really have to work for it, and it helped to change the gaming landscape forever. It laid the groundwork for masterful later titles like Elden Ring and is thought of by many as one of the best games of all time.
The remastered version of Dark Souls was released in 2018 and helped to bring the visuals up to date, improve the multiplayer, and introduce the game to another generation of gamers. It would be hard to find a player who's never heard of Dark Souls, but not everyone will have played it, and Xbox Game Pass is perfectly positioned to help remedy that.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar Studios' Red Dead Redemption 2 took the gaming world by storm when it was released in 2018. The game was a prequel to 2010's Red Dead Redemption and told the tragic story of outlaw Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang. Players would have already been familiar with the fates of several of the main characters, but Red Dead Redemption 2 still told its heartbreaking story of loss, morality, and found family with a beauty that hasn't really been matched since.
The game managed to convey what it was like in the dying days of the Wild West with breathtakingly beautiful environments and impressive attention to detail that still holds up years after the game's release. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterpiece, and adding it to Xbox Game Pass would let players re-experience the title and introduce it to new ones.