The Xbox logo surrounded by two trees.
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Bruno Yonezawa
Published 3 minutes ago
Bruno Yonezawa is a Gaming Senior Writer for Screen Rant. He's been practicing professional journalism for over 10 years, and is also a communications specialist. He's played games all his life and turned that passionate hobby into a passionate career, in an industry where he's worked as a writer, editor, analyst, and more.
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There are hundreds of games available in the Xbox Game Pass catalog, and among them are several superb games that nobody talks about; titles that often don’t get as much attention as big AAA or first-party games. The subscription service is constantly changing, as Microsoft periodically adds and removes titles from its various catalogs, which are now based on tiers. For example, Ultimate members recently gained access to Winter Burrow on Xbox Game Pass, as it was a day-one release.
Contrarily, some removals heavily impact the catalog, as is the case with Octopath Traveler’s and Octopath Traveler 2’s departure. Even so, there’s still a huge influx of new titles arriving in the subscription service every month, and there is even some foresight into what the Xbox Game Pass lineup in 2026 looks like. Among the many new additions, it’s easy to get lost, and there are several great titles in the catalog that nobody talks about too much.
Indiana Jones & The Great Circle
The 2025 Game Was Quickly Forgotten After Its Release
Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
As big of a AAA production as it is, it feels like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one of the most underrated titles in the Xbox Game Pass catalog, as not much attention is given to it. Members such as myself often forget it’s part of the subscription service, and it’s quite unfair given how well-received the game was. This is one of the best takes on Indy outside of the big screens.
In Screen Rant’s review of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, we give it a 9/10 score, praising how faithful it is to the movies and Steven Spielberg’s vision, as well as its great visuals and Troy Baker’s interpretation of the archaeologist. This is one of the best first-party titles you can play on Xbox Game Pass right now, even if it’s not given as much attention as other games.
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
Destroy Nazis In This Fast-Paced Shooter
Frau Engel licks BJ Blazkowicz's face in Wolfenstein: The New Colossus.
Another great title that often flies under the radar of Xbox Game Pass members, perhaps due to how old it is nowadays, is Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus. The shooter developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda is a superb, award-winning title that is well worth your time. This is one of the best shooters on Xbox Game Pass, and it’s unlikely it will be removed from the catalog as it is now Microsoft’s product.
The game follows the memorable BJ Blazkowicz as he continues his journey to topple the Nazi regime occupying the United States. This is a fast-paced shooter in the likes of the DOOM franchise. If you’ve never played it, I recommend starting with Wolfenstein: The New Order, progressing through Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, and then wrapping it up with Wolfenstein: The Old Blood and Wolfenstein: Youngblood – all of which are available on Xbox Game Pass.
Valiant Hearts: The Great War
This Award-Winning Game Was Created By Ubisoft
A wounded soldier talks to a woman from Valiant Hearts: The Great War
One title you may not know that’s available on Xbox Game Pass is Valiant Hearts: The Great War. The title created by Ubisoft is set in World War 1, and follows four different characters who help a German soldier survive the onslaught. This is a side-scrolling adventure game with puzzles that focuses mainly on its heavy narrative.
In fact, the game even received the Best Narrative and Games for Change awards at The Game Awards 2014, which highlight its strengths. Valiant Hearts is one of those games that you should play at least once, though you should be advised it’s a tear-jerker. This game is one of the many hidden gems in the subscription service’s catalog.
1000xResist
One Of 2024’s Best Games May Go Unnoticed In The Xbox Game Pass Catalog
1000xResist key art of the main character.
The arrival of 1000xResist on Xbox Game Pass is recent, but if you’re a member of the Premium tier or higher, I highly recommend checking it out. This indie game is considered one of 2024’s best games, though it flew under the radar for many since it didn’t have a huge marketing budget, and this reflects on how much attention it got.
This carried on to its arrival on Game Pass. As unknown as it may be, 1000xResist is a title that received several award nominations across a variety of ceremonies and had the potential to be a GOTY contender had it reached more players. Its gameplay isn’t too elaborate, as it is mainly focused on its narrative, but it’s a remarkable story you won’t stop thinking about days after you beat it.
Stardew Valley
Even The Essential Tier Has Access To This Legendary Life-Sim
Arguably the most popular life-sim of all time, Stardew Valley is available on Xbox Game Pass. Unlike 1000xResist, this indie title is well-known among players around the world, but it may be unclear that it’s actually available on the Game Pass catalog for all tiers, including Essential.
It’s been years since Stardew Valley first entered the catalog, but it’s not often highlighted as one of the unmissable games offered by the service, as popular and beloved as it may be. If you have never played the title or are looking for another playthrough, managing a farm, expanding your social life in the nearby Pelican Town, and possibly engaging in romance, it’s a good reminder that this fantastic game is on Game Pass.
Pillars Of Eternity 2: Deadfire
This CRPG Can Be Great To Play After Baldur’s Gate 3
Key art for Pillars of Eternity 2
If you’re a fan of fantasy-based CRPGs, much like Baldur’s Gate 3, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is one of the best options around, and it’s available on Xbox Game Pass. As a game similar to Baldur’s Gate 3, Pillars of Eternity 2 is full of dialogue as you explore the world and learn more about its rules and its characters. Deadfire is a nautical adventure, as you’ll use a ship to travel from island to island and even engage in maritime warfare.
There’s a lot to do and see in this CRPG, and it’s backed by a cast of remarkable voice actors who give life to its characters, like Matt Mercer, Laura Bailey, and many others. Moreover, there’s an official collab with the actual play Critical Role, which allows you to meet and control several of the Vox Machina team members. The Pillars of Eternity series is connected to Avowed, so if you want to learn more, it’s worth checking out the CRPG.
Immortals Fenyx Rising
This Game Is Perfect For Zelda: BotW Fans
Immortals Fenyx Rising character soaring above the world.
While Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a Nintendo exclusive, the closest thing to it is available on Xbox Game Pass, and it’s actually a thrill, even if not as dense as Nintendo’s award-winning title. Developed by Ubisoft, Immortals Fenyx Rising is an open-world action-adventure game set in the Golden Isle, which contains areas inspired by the gods of the Greek pantheon.
You can customize the protagonist, Fenyx, to your liking, and upgrade their abilities to explore the world and fight its threats based on your preferences. There are a lot of battles to face and puzzles to solve. A light-hearted narrative with splashes of humor guides it all, in what is one of Ubisoft’s best original releases of the past few years.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
The Ubisoft Spinoff Is One Of The Best In The Series
Cover art for Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, showing the man with a cybernetic eye holding a futuristic pistol, with a dinosaur shooting lasers.
Added to the Xbox Game Pass catalog in October, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is another memorable Ubisoft title that you will want to play using your membership. This spinoff is a parody of the 1980s movies and TV shows. In it, you control Rex “Power” Colt, who has access to several powerful weapons and even some cybernetic skills. Your goal is to escape the island.
However, that is being impeded by the many threats that Power has to face, including the titular Blood Dragon. This game has the iconic Far Cry type of humor, but scaled up due to how nonsensical it can be within a dystopian, sci-fi, synthwave-fueled setting. If you’re looking for a great shooter with a fun story, this underrated title can and should be played via Game Pass.
Unpacking
Cry Your Eyes Out With This Award-Winning Indie Game
A pig plushie on top of a cabinet in Unpacking.
One of the most heartwarming titles in the catalog, Unpacking on Xbox Game Pass is an experience you can’t miss. This multiple award-winning indie game, created by Witch Beam and published by Humble Bundle, was originally released in 2021. The game is set in various stages as you follow a character unpacking her possessions into each new residence.
While it does not feature any visible characters or even dialogue for that matter, Unpacking tells a beautiful coming-of-age story. You’ll be surprised as you start to better understand what is happening in each stage of this character’s life based on her possessions and how she places them in each room across these multiple stages.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4
Play These Remakes With Brand-New Features
Tony Hawk skates in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is a huge bundle with two remakes that have gone somewhat unnoticed in the Xbox Game Pass catalog. Developed by Iron Galaxy, this game allows players to revisit the experience of the 2001 and 2002 games, respectively, under a new and improved guise, with access to exclusive new features, including brand new pro skaters and guest skaters.
There’s a lot to do in the remake title, especially if you’re a fan of the originals. It’s a shame the title doesn’t get the attention it deserves in the catalog, despite being positively received by the community, but it goes to show just how many great games can go unnoticed on Xbox Game Pass.
Xbox Game Pass Number of Devices Concurrently Standard subscription plan allows two accounts playing at once, with four accounts playing at once on Friends & Family plan Highest Resolution 1440p streaming Number of Accounts ~35 million subscribers Compatibility Xbox Series X|S, PC, ROG Xbox Ally, Android, iOS, Samsung & LG TVs, Meta Quest, Web Browser Price Per Month Essential $9.99 | Premium $14.99 | Ultimate $29.99 Price per year 12-month membership codes only available at certain retailers Expand Collapse-
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