The best games on Xbox Game Pass (June 2024) | Digital Trends (2024)

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Starfield

The biggest game for Xbox, and one of the biggest in a packed 2023, has to be Starfield. This latest Bethesda RPG isn’t quite Skyrim in space but shares all the DNA you love of those games in a sci-fi package. You’re free to carve your own path through the universe, joining factions, building outposts, crafting ships, and exploring hundreds of planets. There are hundreds of hours to spend here if you like what the game offers, and the main quest alone is well worth the time. However, don’t be surprised if you get sidetracked more than once. If you’re a Bethesda fan or just want a massive RPG, this game alone is a reason to subscribe.

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Sea of Stars

On the other end of the RPG spectrum, Sea of Stars is a love letter to the classic JRPGs of the 16-bit era. If you enjoyed games likeFinal Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger, you’re almost guaranteed to fall in love with this game. The turn-based combat takes elements from Mario RPG but modernizes them and everything around it, such as movement and progression, to make an adventure that is as cozy in tone as it is to play.This game won’t take you long, but it doesn’t waste a second of your time.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

The Warhammer franchise spans just about every genre imaginable. However, it feels most at home in the retro-inspired boomer shooter Warhammer 40k: Boltgun. If you have any love for the classic Doom or Duke Nukem games, Boltgun will blow your socks off. It retains the chunky look and feel of blasting gruesome enemies with massive weaponry but controls like a modern title. It is a fast, brutal, and addictive game that is just pure action from start to finish. If you need a power fantasy, look no further.

MLB The Show 24

It’s only been four years since Xbox players have even had the chance to play the Show series, but so far each entry has been a day one inclusion on Game Pass, and MLB the Show 24 keeps that tradition alive. As far as the game is concerned, well, it’s baseball! This is the premier MLB simulation game, and obviously, being the newest entry makes it the most realistic and content-filled package yet. Take your new player from the minor leagues all the way up to a pro-level to see if you can win it all at the World Series.

SuperHot: Mind Control Delete

Hopefully you’ve already experienced the masterpiece that is the original Superhot, but if not, you won’t be lost jump into the standalone expansion Superhot: Mind Control Delete. Either way, this takes the same addictive combat arenas where you deftly dismantle and outsmart all your adversaries by planning out every step you take, bullet you fire, and punch you throw. Time only moves when you do, so if you get overwhelmed, just stop to take in your surroundings to figure out the best plan of action. It is the perfect blend of shooter and puzzle game.

Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thievesputs you in the shoes of a pirate, and not in the same way asBlack Flag does (even though that’s still one of the best Assassin’s Creed games ever). It’s not just an open-world action-adventure game with a pirate skin —Sea of Thievesis a pirate simulator. From looting unexplored islands to piloting your ship with a group of friends, developer Rare manages to gamify every aspect of Sea of Thieves,making each game task engaging no matter how mundane it may seem. More importantly, the gamification leads to a sense of freedom. Nothing inSea of Thievesis stringent, from the loose leveling system to the Tall Tales that make up the campaign. You’re free to explore and tackle objectives in any way you see fit, or simply ignore objectives altogether. Although a lonely experience on your own, Sea of Thievesis a must-play with a group of friends. The game even supports cross-platformplay between the Game Pass and Steam versions, so stringing together a group of pirates is easy.

Still Wakes the Deep

Xbox snagged Still Wakes the Deep as a day-one get for Game Pass, so you know there’s something special here. From The Chinese Room, developers of Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, and Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, this horror adventure places you on an abandoned oil rig in the North Sea. Or, at least you will wish it was abandoned. A monstrosity from the sea has found its way on board and you have no way to fight back and no way to call for help. All you can hope to do is run, hide, and try to find some way to escape the rig with your life.

Hi-Fi Rush

Shadow-dropped at Microsoft’s Developer_Direct event at the end of January, Hi-Fi Rush has become an immediate banger on Game Pass. The rhythm-action game follows a young man named Chai who fights with an electric guitar. Everything moves to the game’s beat, including enemy attacks, cutscenes, and dungeon traps. It also has a combat-grading system like in the Devil May Cry franchise. Chai isn’t alone in his fights; he also has comrades such as his cat, 808.

Control

With Alan Wake 2 out, even more people have been exposed to the connected universe of Remedy games. If you happened to miss the studio’s last game, Control, now is the perfect time to go back. Set in a shifting and mysterious building known as The Oldest House, you will use supernatural powers to fight and explore the creepy halls filled with notes about strange objects with obscure powers. The included DLC also features a certain writer that adds a bit of context to that game as well.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Cal’s story was far from over at the end of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. This sequel picks up five years after the first game’s conclusion, and things have only gotten worse for our lonely Jedi. However, hope emerges when Cal discovers a potential safe haven from the Empire where he and his friends can finally live free of fear. Nothing is that easy, of course, and Cal will go on a sprawling adventure through the galaxy to explore new planets, earn new Jedi powers, and face even more deadly foes. This is one of the best Star Wars stories we’ve had in years, games or otherwise, plus a satisfying and challenging action-adventure game in its own right.

Octopath Traveler II

The first Octopath Traveller came to Xbox on day one, but for whatever reason, we didn’t get the sequel until now. Better late than never, because Octopath Traveller 2 is easily the better game of the two. It takes the same premise as the first. with a group of eight characters whose stories you can follow in whatever order you choose, but does a far better job of weaving them together than the first. The 2D-HD visuals have never looked better, and the combat is a classic turn-based RPG fan’s dream. This is a meaty game, so you might need to extend your subscription to see it all, but it is more than worth it to see the conclusion.

Psychonauts 2

Is 15 years too long to wait for a sequel? That depends on how good the original game is — and Double Fine’s Psychonauts was certainly one of the best in its genre. Psychonauts 2 is finally here, and the familiar formula is back, sure to please fans of the old game while making an excellent introduction to the zany, heartfelt world of Psychonauts. The story picks up soon after the first (and a VR side story that was later released), following a boy named Raz, who has left his circus family to train his psychic powers with the acclaimed Psychonauts organization. Raz’s specialty is entering minds and sorting out hidden traumas so that people (heroes and villains alike) can move on in healthy ways. He uses various psychic powers to defeat literal doubts, fears, and panic attacks while navigating worlds chock-full of collectibles and currency that allow him to upgrade or modify abilities. The platforming in Psychonauts 2 is not only excellent but insanely inventive, incorporating every kind of movement you can imagine in ways that make the cartoony world both fascinating and emotionally moving (but not too challenging). Combat sometimes seems like an afterthought as a result, but there’s plenty to do for all kinds of gamers. Take a look at our Psychonauts 2 beginner’s guide to get started.

Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight wears its Super Metroid and Dark Souls influences on its sleeve, but manages to provide an experience all its own. You control a silent, nameless knight, who is tasked with exploring the vast, insect-ridden kingdom of Hallownest. Like any good Metroidvania, Hollow Knight has a vast, interconnected map that you’re free to explore. Although certain areas are locked off in the early game, you’ll quickly begin running from one corner of the map to the other. The title’s open design teaches you by showing. Rather than holding your hand, Hollow Knight asks you to explore and find answers for yourself, resulting in one of the most satisfying experiences of this genre. With Hollow Knight: Silksongon the horizon, now is a great time to play the first game.

The Elder Scrolls

There isn’t a reason to split these three Bethesda games apart because they’re all excellent Elder Scrolls titles. Everyone has their reasons for liking one Elder Scrolls game over another, but you really can’t go wrong with any of Bethesda’s open-world epics. Morrowindestablished the franchise on consoles. Even after nearly 20 years,Morrowindhas some of the best writing and world design in the series, and the skill system still holds up.Oblivionpushed the freeform design ofMorrowindfurther, adding more depth and things to do in the world. It also fixedMorrowind’s clunky combat system, lowering the barrier to entry for new players. Then there’s Skyrim,which made Bethesda and Elder Scrolls household names. If you have option paralysis, we recommend starting withOblivion.Skyrimis a close second, butObliviondefined the systems and world design that Bethesda built upon inSkyrim.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition

If you’re looking for the complete Mass Effect experience with all DLC, upgraded graphics for the latest consoles, and improved systems, then the Legendary Edition is perfect for you. Create your own Commander Shepard, put together teams to fight the galaxy’s most fearsome threat, and chain your key decisions across three games to affect just how it all goes down. Mass Effect remains a pinnacle of RPG storytelling, and as the Legendary version fixes some of the clunkier aspects of earlier games, there’s no better time to jump in. Just make sure you have enough storage space for all three optimized games … it’s a lot of gigs.

Doom Eternal

In 2016, it seemed impossible to top Id Software’s Doomreboot. The most series fans could have hoped for from a sequel was more of the same. ButDoom Eternalpushed further, refusing to conform to the exact same structure that was so successful for 2016’s Doom(both critically and commercially). The gunplay is familiar, butDoom Eternalis bigger and more ambitious. The scale of levels is massive, and Id homed in on the resource management mechanics in Doom.Instead of going from fight to fight until the end of the level,Doom Eternalmakes battles interesting by forcing you to use glory kills and your chainsaw to pick up ammo and health. That pushed you into the, as described by id Software, “fun zone.” It turns out that’s a great place to be.

Halo Infinite

It took some time, but Halo Infinite has finally hit Game Pass in its completed state, including both multiplayer and the campaign. This Halo story has Master Chief saving a youngling AI, fighting new (and old) kinds of enemies, journeying across a large open world (that allows for much more flexible missions that require a little more focus to complete), and using new tools like a grappling/grab hook for all-new combat possibilities. The gameplay is great, and multiplayer is as competitive as ever, though it’s still improving consistently thanks to the updates 343 Industries continues to make. If you like Halo, you’ll find a whole lot to love here.

Forza Horizon 5

Forza is back with its best racing game yet, a beautiful romp primarily focused on the Mexican landscape, with tight controls and tons of stuff to do. There are many, many gaming modes to explore, tours to try out, and options to gather with teammates — or you can face your rivals in all kinds of races. The superb detailing and customization options for your cars, character, and properties are still here, allowing you to spend hours tinkering before hitting the road. Crossplay is also supported with PC, including Steam players, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to earn community currency and spend it on your best look.

The Callisto Protocol

It may not be spooky season just yet, but there’s never a bad time to play a new horror game. The Callisto Protocol comes from some of the original minds behind Dead Space and it shows in the design. Just like that game, your entire HUD is built into your character and other in-universe indicators instead of being random UI elements on the screen. This game has a stronger focus on melee combat, but also has some unique powers to play with. It is a mostly linear game, and not a long one either, so it is a perfect game to play over a couple of nights one weekend.