Best Games On PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass is firmly established as gaming’s definitive subscription service, a reputation built upon years of goodwill. Each month, Microsoft adds a few games to the service, ensuring subscribers always have something new to check out. While slightly overshadowed by its console counterpart, PC Game Pass is a great option for people who prefer to play on a computer rather than an Xbox.

Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass offer many of the same games, which reflects Microsoft’s desire to cater to its whole customer base rather than just those who own consoles. That said, there are differences between the two, including some great titles that are only on the PC iteration. What are the best PC Game Pass games?

Updated January 27, 2025 by Mark Sammut: PC Game Pass players have a lot to look forward to with Eternal Strands, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector all debuting within the coming days. They can also try out a remake that was unexpectedly added to the subscription service.

Games are not ranked solely by their quality; for example, newer PC Game Pass games will be included at the top for added exposure.

1

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

A Graphical Upgrade Of A Fantastic Game

Well, this drop was a pleasant surprise. Along with announcing Ninja Gaiden 4 by PlatinumGames, Koei Tecmo randomly released Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, with the remake debuting directly on Xbox Game Pass (and PC Game Pass, by extension). The Master Collection‘s Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is still available as well, so the 2025 release did not come at the expense of that project. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black appears to be somewhat based on the Sigma 2 version rather than the original, although it is not a 1-to-1 recreation. Ultimately, this title offers another way to experience one of the greatest (and hardest) action games of all time.

What is new here? Well, honestly, not that much beyond the Unreal Engine 5 graphics. An upgrade in visuals might not seem that important, but this change gives the whole experience a fresh look and vibe. Ninja Gaiden 2‘s gameplay was and still is great, so there was not much that could have been done to improve upon near-perfection; consequently, a visual upgrade was the most obvious route to take, and it is impressive. Players who never played the original can just jump into this iteration, even if they are completely new to Ninja Gaiden in general.

2

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

MachineGames Gives Indy His Best Adventure In Decades

Arguably the last truly “big” release of 2024, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle had a strange road towards completion. Despite MachineGames’ resume mostly speaking for itself and an AAA-budget Indiana Jones game sounding fantastic, The Great Circle attracted a somewhat muted response at first, primarily due to it using a first-person angle rather than third-person. Honestly, after decades of Tomb Raider and Uncharted, the desire for a third-person Indy made sense; conversely, MachineGames specializes in FPS projects, so the developer’s decision to stick to first-person was also understandable.

Ultimately, that discussion was rendered moot once Indiana Jones and the Great Circle landed on Game Pass and put any doubts to rest. Comfortably the best video game representation of Dr. Jones, the 2024 release is a visual tour de force that also delivers franchise-suitable story and gameplay. The latter is especially important, as Indy is not known for gunning down hundreds of enemies during his adventure; consequently, a Wolfenstein-style shooter would have been unusual. Fortunately, MachineGames minimized gunplay in favor of stealth, puzzles, exploration, and occasional platforming. The Great Circle gives the iconic protagonist a whip and a gun, but the former is his preferred weapon while the latter is for desperate situations.

3

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

A PS1 Darling Is Now On PC Game Pass

Even after all these decades, Crash Bandicoot’s association with an Xbox brand still feels weird. Yet, nowadays, an Xbox is arguably the best way to experience the franchise, at least the more recent entries. Xbox Game Pass has Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and CTR Nitro-Fueled, both of which modernize Naughty Dog’s classic PS1 games. While the originals are still great in their own right, these versions are fantastic and, arguably, definitive.

Unfortunately, the kart racer never arrived on PC, a pretty strange omission since major modern multi-platform games nearly always release ports for the platform. However, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is readily available to not only computer users but also PC Game Pass subscribers. Updating three of the greatest platformers of all time, Vicarious Visions more than proved it was capable of living up to the lofty heights set by Naughty Dog, and this release has more positives than just a graphical boost. The controls are tighter than ever (for the most part), fine-tuning the gameplay to near perfection (again, for the most part). Vicarious Visions even put together an extremely difficult new stage that compares favorably with the classics.

4

Nine Sols

Another 2D Metroidvania That Is Top-Notch

PC Game Pass has plenty of Soulslikes and Metroidvanias to keep fans of both genres happy, but there is also no such thing as too many options. On the surface, Nine Sols might just seem like another in a long run of 2D Metroidvanias that somewhat ape FromSoftware’s combat, a tried-and-tested formula that delivers results but perhaps not too much excitement by this point. However, Red Candle Games did a pretty impressive job of creating a unique experience that learns from history without being overshadowed by it.

In a nice change of pace, Nine Sols‘ challenging combat focuses primarily on deflections, somewhat similar to Sekiro. The gameplay is fantastic from the start, and only gets better as more options are unlocked that provide some variety; however, the game wisely opts against overwhelming players with options, instead allowing them to focus on mastering the basics. Visually, Nine Sols is a treat, offering gorgeous backdrops that bring to life a fairly unique cyberpunk-esque world.

5

StarCraft 1 & 2 Remastered

The Definitive Sci-Fi RTS Series

• 	StarCraft: Remastered	StarCraft II: Campaign Collection
  Developer(s)	Blizzard Entertainment	Blizzard Entertainment
  Genre(s)	Real-Time Strategy	Real-Time Strategy
  Platform(s)	PC	PC

StarCraft needs no introduction when it comes to the real-time strategy genre. 1998’s original is largely hailed as an all-time masterpiece that set a standard that has rarely been eclipsed. One of the few games to come close to replicating that quality was its 2012 sequel, which arguably has the best gameplay out of any RTS game, especially in the sci-fi subgenre.

PC Game Pass has StarCraft‘s 2017 remaster, which gives the classic version a significant upgrade in terms of presentation. Furthermore, players can try out StarCraft 2‘s complete collection, which comes with the base content and the Heart of the Swarm and Legacy of the Void expansions.

6

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Rough Launch, But The Core Is Strong

Considering everything GSC has been through in recent years, the fact that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 exists at all is a big deal. That said, the game did not enjoy the smoothest launch, garnering quite a bit of criticism due to bugs and performance issues. Now, to be fair, GSC released a few early patches that improved things, so it is in a mostly playable state. Still, anyone who picks this up should be prepared for what might not be a flawless experience.

Beyond that, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 evolves the franchise’s core concepts well, offering an incredibly massive open-world that is visually, thematically, and atmospherically dense. While incorporating horror elements and first-person gunplay, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is ultimately about survival, which extends beyond the player’s basic needs and into The Zone’s political and social standings. Mutants are not the only danger in this region.

For all its issues, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2‘s fundamentals are very good, and they will hopefully start to shine even more as new patches are released.

7

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

Three Classic PS1 Adventure Platformers, Now Available On An Xbox Subscription Service

With Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard, Spyro the Dragon is technically an Xbox mascot nowadays. Even though the franchise has not done much in the last few years, there is always a chance that a new game will be announced, one that could very well debut on Game Pass or even be an Xbox exclusive. Whether that day comes to pass remains to be seen, but in the meantime, subscribers can check out the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, which contains remakes of Insomniac’s original three PS1 games.

While delivering a significant upgrade in visuals, Toys for Bob mostly opted to recapture the magic of the classic trilogy, delivering three campaigns that very much feel like they are ripped from the memories of people who grew up with Spyro the Dragon. All three titles are great, and they build upon each other in ways that make the trilogy feel like a cohesive progression.

8

Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6

A Well-Rounded COD Package

When Activision fell under the Microsoft umbrella, it was only a matter of time before Call of Duty would make its Game Pass arrival. Modern Warfare 3 was the first project to debut, and while a big deal in its own right, the real question was whether a new entry would launch directly on the service. Well, that moment came with Black Ops 6, Treyarch and Raven Software’s 2024 effort. Obviously, every Call of Duty game seems to be a commercial success, but the franchise’s reputation has taken a hit in recent years thanks to Modern Warfare 3 launching with quite a few issues like an underwhelming single-player story. Black Ops 6 had to be a notable step up, especially since it was going to reach lapsed or even new players due to its Game Pass availability.

While not flawless, this sequel is a pretty great return to form, one that offers both high-quality solo and multiplayer content. If someone has no interest in PvP, they can just focus on the single-player campaign, which is a fast-paced blockbuster-style action fest that represents Call of Duty at its best. Although not extremely long, it is fun and plays great. That said, the multiplayer side of things is Black Ops 6‘s main selling point, as is always the case with modern entries in the series. Along with a diverse lineup of 6v6 modes, the game also has Zombies, which should keep co-op fans entertained for quite a while. Unlike Modern Warfare 3‘s open-zone structure, Black Ops 6 mostly utilizes Black Ops Cold War‘s formula, so it does play like a more traditional take on the mode.

9

South Park: The Fractured but Whole

A Fartastic Superhero Epic

Despite being slightly overshadowed by its predecessor, The Stick of Truth, South Park: The Fractured but Whole is nevertheless a fantastic RPG adaptation of the iconic and irreverent animated series. Once again, the new kid finds himself in the middle of an all-out war between South Park’s resident children, with Cartman naturally adding constant fuel to the fire. Unlike the first game’s fantasy tropes, the sequel focuses on superheroes, taking potshots at comics and, more emphatically, the movie craze that was running rampant in the mid-2010s (and still is, to an extent).

The story and humor are quintessential South Park, in the sense that they mostly repeat ideas that have originally been mined by the show and The Stick of Truth. However, that does not mean The Fractured but Whole has no narrative value, as it still manages to get a few comforting laughs while taking some comedic risks that threaten to be poignant. Crucially, the game is just fun to play, largely thanks to a revamped combat system that presents players with a bit more control and choice during battles. The campaign is still pretty easy, but fights do require thought to maneuver and surpass.

10

Frostpunk 2

An Evolution Of A Rare Formula

Frostpunk is still one of the best strategy city-builders on PC Game Pass, and it is now joined by a successor. Excitingly, Frostpunk 2 introduces so many new ideas and expands the scale so significantly that it feels notably different from its predecessor; consequently, the sequel has not rendered the first game obsolete. That said, if someone loves the original title, they are likely to adore the second entry, as long as they do not go in expecting an identical experience.

Set a few decades after the first game, Frostpunk 2 puts players in charge of New London, a city that is trying to balance progression and survival. As always, leaders will need to find a way to drive the city’s growth while meeting the basic needs of its citizens, which is no easy task when there is the ever-present threat of a shutdown due to unpredictable snowstorms. Although very much a survival game, Frostpunk 2 is first and foremost a city-builder, and players will spend a great deal of time setting up connections and tiles. Beyond that, the sequel focuses quite a lot on politics, very much emphasizing that players are (essentially) running a government that has to take into account various factions with contradictory wants.

Regardless of somebody’s familiarity with the first game, they should consider starting with Frostpunk 2‘s campaign, which should teach them the basics. After that, they can jump into Utopia Builder, which comes with seven starting locations and multiple goals.

11

Sifu

The Long Road To Revenge (Is Awesome)

Sifu has an inspired death mechanic. Players step into the shoes of a martial artist who goes on a revenge tour that involves taking on five fighters, each of whom comes with their own stage. Now, whenever the protagonist fails, they revive as an older version of themselves, allowing them to keep going with stronger attacks but less HP. Eventually, they die permanently and have to start from scratch.

This concept is brilliant, and it allows some more room for failure than the typical roguelike. However, do not mistake this mechanic as a sign that Sloclap decided to take things easy on players. No, Sifu is an extremely difficult 3D beat ’em up with complex controls and a lot of attack options. By the time they defeat all five bosses, players will be genuine masters.

12

Age Of Mythology: Retold

More Than Just A Fresh Coat Of Paint On An RTS Classic

While also available on the Xbox Series consoles, Age of Mythology: Retold just feels at home on PC. An updated version of the 2002 cult classic, the RTS game takes the Age of Empires formula and engulfs it in mysticism, creating an experience that sticks fairly true to the mainline entry’s loop while still very much being unique. Retold is mostly pitched as a “remaster,” but that would be underselling the changes since they extend beyond improved graphics. World’s Edge and Forgotten Empires implemented a range of quality-of-life adjustments to cater to a modern audience, all the while trying to respectfully retain the original game’s rhythm and tone. The endeavor was mostly successful, resulting in a project that should hit the mark with both young and veteran RTS fans.

As with nearly any great RTS game, AoM: Retold primarily boils down to effective planning and resource management. Each available myth has well-defined strengths and weaknesses, along with unique traits and god abilities that need to be properly analyzed and mastered. In terms of single-player content, there are campaigns containing unique missions that can keep people engaged for a while. Retold also supported co-op and PvP, with the latter likely determining the project’s longevity.

13

Doom + Doom 2

The Grandfathers Of PC Shooters

• 	Doom (1993)	Doom 2
  Released	1993-12-10	1994-10-10
  Developer(s)	id Software	id Software
  Genre(s)	First-Person Shooter	FPS

At this point, recommending the original Doom games seems pointless. If someone has not played id Software’s seminal shooters yet, they are unlikely to get to them because of the latest re-release. Still, that does not take anything away from their sheer quality, as there is a reason Doom and its sequel continue to be revisited all these years later. They are masterpieces that set the standard for an entire genre, and their influence can still be seen in the countless retro boomer shooters that are released every single year.

The DOOM + DOOM 2 compilation includes the core games along with a plethora of upgrades and updates that have accumulated over the decades, including a weapon carousel, improved visuals, an incredible range of maps, local split-screen, and so on. Players who know these games inside and out might not find too much to get excited about from this package, but it is always great to have them available at the click of a button.

14

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Technical Showcase With Strong & Challenging Writing

2024 has not been stacked with Xbox console exclusives so far, but Ninja Theory’s Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 stands as a proud and powerful exception. Similar to its predecessor, the fantastic Senua’s Sacrifice, the sequel is very much a unique beast that focuses on telling a character-driven story, with combat and puzzles taking a backseat throughout most of the campaign. That’s not to say players will be just watching a glorified movie play out, as they will find themselves engaging in some fairly intense battles throughout Senua’s journey. However, the combat exists entirely in service of the narrative and is only marginally better than the first game.

Hellblade 2 should be entered as blindly as possible, especially since most people will probably only stick around for a single playthrough (that will be relatively short). While avoiding specific spoilers, it can be revealed that the sequel focuses more on Senua’s connections with the living rather than the dead. Also, the game is genuinely gorgeous, perhaps to the point of being the best-looking title on the Xbox Series X.

15

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Issues Aside, This Is Still A Great Compilation Containing Some Of The Best FPS Games Ever

The entirety of the Halo franchise took a lengthy hiatus from PC after its initial outing with Combat Evolved, but all of that finally changed in 2019 — when the Master Chief Collection finally migrated to PC. Now mouse-and-keyboard warriors can follow the whole of Spartan-117’s saga and indulge in the full suite of multiplayer offerings alongside their Xbox brethren.

The MCC is virtually a crown jewel on the Xbox side of Game Pass, and it loses very little of that status in its transition to PC.20greatest achievements of the 2010s. So, does this make it a must-play for anyone with a PC Game Pass subscription? Well, yes and no. If someone loves 2D platformers, they owe it to themselves to try Extremely OK Games’ title. However, Celeste is a hard-as-nails precision platformer that can be exhausting for anyone who is not really looking for an especially difficult challenge. It is not particularly accessible.

Unlike quite a few entries in the genre, Celeste has a pretty in-depth story. Players control Madeline, a woman who goes on a soul-searching journey to climb Celeste Mountain. Touching upon mature themes like depression, the platformer is surprisingly character-driven, and its punishing gameplay reflects Madeline’s journey.

16

Neon White

Stellar Gameplay That Mixes Deck Management With Platforming & Speedrunning

Angel Matrix’s Neon White took the world by storm in 2022, and the innovative platformer is a fantastic addition to PC Game Pass. Now, this is one of those projects that generally must be played to be properly understood, and it is entirely made by its controls, gameplay feel, and seamless blend of mechanics. Still, the core concept revolves around managing multipurpose cards to pick the best action in a given situation, all in the hopes of clearing out stages and reaching their endpoints.

While the story is kind of weird, Neon White nails pretty much everything else. The visual style is slick and eye-catching, while the gameplay is fast-paced, satisfying, and strategic. The level design is consistently strong and caters to repeat attempts, particularly for players interested in speedrunning.

17

Grounded

Survival Game With Awesome Co-Op

Players who enjoy games like Minecraft and Terraria should consider hopping into Grounded. This microscopic adventure sees players entering a backyard landscape after being shrunk down to a fraction of their former size. Players will have to battle against hordes of vicious bugs to collect various materials to strengthen their armaments and increase their survivability.

Along the way, they will uncover an underlying storyline that will have them traveling all over the backyard to collect a variety of specialized computer chips. Players can embark on this journey by themselves or join in with up to three other friends, both of which should result in mostly enjoyable survival sandbox experiences. That said, Grounded really comes alive in co-op, especially since players take on four different characters who can pursue unique and complementary builds.

18

A Plague Tale: Requiem

Life-Like Visuals & Story That Builds Momentum Nicely

Asobo Studio’s highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s A Plague Tale: Innocence is finally out, and Requiem is just as brilliant as its predecessor. Once again cast as Amicia, players find themselves heading out on a harrowing journey to find a cure for Hugo, the protagonist’s younger brother, during the French Inquisition and black plague.

A Plague Tale: Requiem sticks close to the blueprint established by the first game, all the while improving upon a few elements. The sequel has a far superior combat system that presents Amicia with a wider variety of options. The story is also fantastic and builds up nicely.

19

Vampire Survivors

Endlessly Replayable

After spending almost a year in early access on Steam, Vampire Survivors made its full debut on October 20, 2022. The top-down roguelike has been nothing short of a colossal hit, and it has received plenty of updates over the last year. After selecting one of Vampire Survivors‘ available characters, players drop into a stage where they are bombarded by waves of enemies. The goal is to simply survive until the time limit while upgrading weapons, unlocking power-ups, and gaining gold coins.

Although initially seeming very simple, this indie darling has surprising depth thanks to its wide variety of characters and weapons, all of which require a lot of effort to fully master. Even unlocking everything is hard work. Vampire Survivors is a great PC Game Pass game with a gameplay loop perfect for a subscription service that encourages playing multiple titles simultaneously.

20

SteamWorld Dig 2

An Impressive Evolution Of The 2013 Original

SteamWorld is an odd duck that refuses to stick to a single genre, with most games seemingly exploring new avenues that are only loosely connected to their predecessors and successors. Despite this suggesting inconsistency, to its credit, the franchise has rarely set a foot wrong, with basically every game having something to offer and being worthwhile additions to their genre. SteamWorld Dig 2 was something of an exception as it was the IP’s first sequel, and it specifically sought to fine-tune the 2013 project to craft an experience that is strictly an evolution rather than a complete renovation.

SteamWorld Dig 2 is fantastic and close to the franchise’s pinnacle, although opinions will depend on the player’s preferred style of game. The sequel is an explorative Metroidvania that casts players as a digger who must traverse a labyrinth under a Western town in search of resources they can then sell off. Naturally, they will have to fight a lot of enemies along the way, all the while unlocking an ever-expanding arsenal of gadgets and abilities.

SteamWorld can seem a bit unapproachable due to its scattershot approach to game design, but Dig 2 is a very solid entry point into the series. There is also no need to play the original, even though it is still a decent game.