Xbox Game Pass Standard 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.
There are a lot of different types of games that subscribers should try if they’re looking for a good one to jump into. There are games with easy accessibility, captivating stories, and diverse experiences, even with the Standard edition. It just takes time to look through them all and see which is worth playing.
10
Forza Horizon 5 Is A Racing Game For Everyone
Racing, Xbox Style
Forza Horizon 5 is a fantastic game that subscribers can access through the Xbox Game Pass Standard library. It's a very easy game to get into. It’s great for serious racing fans who love customizing cars along with casual players who just want some fun. The game teaches its mechanics in an easy-to-learn way, provides help if needed, and rewards players for exploring its beautiful open world set in Mexico.
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In addition to being beginner-friendly, Forza Horizon 5 is 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 are always new activities, weekly challenges, and updates to keep things fresh, making it a game players can come back to for a long time.
9
Cities: Skylines Provides The Ultimate City-Building
Build A Dream City
Cities: Skylines is a great game available on Xbox Game Pass Standard that focuses on building and managing a custom city. It's perfect for anyone who likes city-building games. Players start with a small area and can gradually buy more land to create a large city. One of the best things about playing Cities: Skylines through Game Pass is that subscribers can try it out without spending money upfront.
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: Skylines is definitely worth trying, as it offers a lot of creative and complex gameplay without a big cost.
8
Crusader Kings Has Complex Medieval Strategy
Rule The Medieval Ages
Crusader Kings 3 is a fantastic addition to the Xbox Game Pass Standard library, providing a unique strategy experience. Instead of just focusing on traditional strategy elements, the game dives 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. The warfare 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.
7
Fallout: New Vegas Is A Franchise Peak
The Best Fallout For Free
Fallout: New Vegas is 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 makes New Vegas special is its incredible 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.
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 Vegas provides the freedom to explore and make unique decisions, including choosing to side with various factions, which are the 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 as Fallout 3, New Vegas adds unique features like weapon upgrades and a gambling element.
6
Halo: The Master Chief Collection Bundles An Iconic Series
Replay Halo Under Bungie
Halo: The Master Chief Collection is a fantastic deal on Xbox Game Pass and a must-try for anyone with a subscription. It combines three generations of great Halo games into one polished package, almost like a tribute to the fans. Subscribers get to enjoy six classic single-player and co-op campaigns that relive the exciting story of Master Chief and other heroes from the UNSC. The updated graphics and gameplay make going back to these campaigns exceptionally fun.
Features like modern controls, customizable thumbstick settings, and 4K/60fps improvements on Xbox consoles give Halo: The Master Chief Collection a fresh, modern touch. Including Halo Reach makes 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 for Halo 1, which wasn't originally made for online play. Just keep in mind that a lot of people moved on to Infinite already.
5
Octopath Traveler 2 Is A Standout JRPG
Sequel To A Great Game
Octopath Traveler 2 is 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 look that 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, the eight 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.
4
Stardew 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 Valley set the bar high with its satisfying gameplay and 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.
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One of the best things about Stardew Valley is that there are so many activities to keep players hooked for “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.
3
Assassin’s Creed Origins Has A Great Open World
Before All The Clutter
Assassin's Creed Origins is a great addition to Xbox Game Pass, giving subscribers a good reason to explore ancient Egypt. The game features a stunning and diverse world, with everything from sandy deserts to rocky mountains and towering tombs. The protagonist Bayek gets involved in a complex story filled with themes of power, betrayal, love, and revenge, which tests his sense of right and wrong in a time of political chaos.
This is the first time Assassin’s Creed majorly strayed from the original formula, but it was done very well before 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.
2
Yakuza 0 Kicks Off An Incredible Saga
Start A Great Series
Yakuza 0 is a fantastic game that Xbox Game Pass Standard subscribers can try and the best way to start the series. It tells the backstory of popular characters Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, set in a lively and detailed version of Tokyo and Osaka in 1988. The game features a gripping story about betrayal and power in the Yakuza clans and offers a ton of fun activities to keep players entertained.
Intense street fights use the unique fighting styles of Kiryu and Majima, which are complete with powerful finishing moves. Yakuza 0 is also filled with various memorable side activities. Classic arcade games like OutRun and Space 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 0 has a lot of memorable moments and a fun, eccentric world that makes the story hit harder.
1
Starfield Is More Than A Disappointment
It's Worth Trying
Starfield may not be as great as Bethesda's earlier RPGs, but it's still a great choice for Xbox Game Pass subscribers since it finally came to Standard. It starts a bit slow and doesn’t grab players like Skyrim or Fallout 4 right away, but the game opens up to reveal a memorable sandbox experience. Players can do whatever they want and choose what factions to join in a galaxy full of opportunities.
Despite some repetitive quests, the factions storylines are good, and the New Game+ feature is interesting. The combat is similar to Fallout 4, with a variety of weapons and a boost pack that makes moving around and battling enemies more fun. What makes Starfield stand out, especially with Xbox Game Pass, is that it provides a vast, if sometimes glitchy, open-world RPG without needing to spend extra money. Starfield and the other titles on this list are definitely worth trying.
Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic
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