The Xbox Game Pass library is in for another shake-up this week, offering a blend of brutal action, highly anticipated day-one thrills, and intriguing indie adventures. As we welcome a trio of new titles to the service, we also bid farewell to a handful of others. Let’s break down all the comings and goings.
Fresh Arrivals on Game Pass
If you are an Xbox gamer, then it makes total and utter sense to be subscribed to Game Pass. Offering up a huge library of games for one monthly fee, we don’t think there’s anything better in the gaming sphere.
But if you’re subscribed, you will know that to keep interest levels high, the games library needs to evolve. It’s that which is happening this current week.
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 (Cloud and Console) – May 13th
Brace yourselves for visceral co-op action!
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 charges onto Game Pass, throwing you into the End Times of the Warhammer Fantasy Battles world.
Team up with up to three other players to slaughter hordes of Skaven and Chaos warriors across a variety of challenging levels. And you’ll also get to choose from five distinct heroes, each with multiple career paths, and master a wide array of melee and ranged weapons to survive the relentless onslaught.
If you’re looking for intense horde-slaying action with deep progression and replayability, this is one to jump into. Make sure you check out our full review too.
DOOM: The Dark Ages (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – May 15th (Day One)
The hype is real! DOOM is back!
Prepare to unleash hell as DOOM: The Dark Ages arrives day one on Game Pass – and yes, we’re expecting this to be another Day One Game Pass gem.
Set against a dark and sinister medieval war between humanity and Hell, this third installment in the modern DOOM series casts you once again as the unstoppable DOOM Slayer. Prepare for an epic cinematic story that unveils the origins of his legend, all powered by the latest iteration of the cutting-edge idTech engine, delivering the series’ signature searing combat and over-the-top visual brutality within a unique dark setting.
As the gods’ and kings’ ultimate weapon, the Slayer will tear through demonic hordes with devastating favourites. Engage in vicious, grounded combat that harkens back to the original DOOM’s relentless action, while also taking to the skies atop the fearsome Mecha Dragon and towering over enemies in the massive Atlan mech.
Best yet? The enhanced glory kill system promises even more brutal and satisfying close-quarters takedowns.
Our full review of DOOM: The Dark Ages is fast approaching, but we’ve already got this front and centre of our Best Games of May article.
Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 16th (Day One)
For those seeking a more unique and thoughtful adventure, Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo offers a papercraft world brimming with quirky characters and intriguing mysteries.
Another Day One Game Pass drop, this time around you’ll step into the limbless form of Kulebra, a kind-hearted dead snake who awakens in Limbo, a purgatorial realm where souls burdened by regret are trapped in a repeating cycle.
Guided by the cryptic words of a strange Old Lady, Kulebra embarks on a quest to discover his purpose by aiding the other residents in finding peace.
Be prepared to confront darker souls who seek to extinguish your light in challenges that will test everything you’ve learned in this bilingual adventure.
We’re certainly intrigued so standby for our review. Until then, you can grab a download from the Xbox Store.
Saying Farewell on May 15th
As new adventures begin, we must also bid farewell to the following titles as they leave the Game Pass library. Hit the links below to be whisked to our reviews:
- Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (Cloud, Console, and PC) – “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is a lovingly remade version of a much praised game. It may be short, at around four hours of playtime, but every second spent in this world is taken up marvelling at the well-designed puzzles, taking in the stunning vistas and enjoying the interaction between the two siblings.“
- Chants of Sennaar (Cloud, Console, and PC) – “I could have done without the stealth sections but if you are truly after a new experience that takes you to a far away land, Chants of Sennaar will be right up your street.“
- Dune: Spice Wars (Cloud, Console, and PC) – “Dune: Spice Wars is a satisfying 4X game, but it is not without its issues. The controls are the only real stumbling block, but the biggest problem I have is in the sheer complexity of the systems. It is like the developers have tried to shoehorn every little bit of the books into a game, and as a result things are almost as dense and impenetrable as the books. “
- Hauntii (Cloud, Console, and PC) – “Hauntii is another gem of an indie game. It’s a fun mix of puzzles, exploration and twin-stick shooting. You’ll love exploring the world and whilst the story is simple, it is very heartwarming. Yes, you’ll find moments of Hauntii that are overwhelming and slightly frustrating, but when you get into your stride it becomes intuitive.“
- The Big Con (Cloud, Console, and PC) – “The Big Con offers something for everyone. It’s a tale that is both remarkably sentimental and utterly bizarre, and it’s one backed by a rich cast of characters and a world infused with nineties nostalgia. You’re not going to be conned out of your money with this one. The Big Con is well worth your time.“
This week’s Game Pass update delivers a compelling mix of high-octane action, highly anticipated new releases, and intriguing indie experiences. Be sure to check out the new arrivals and give those departing games one last playthrough before they leave the service.
The comments are below if you want to let us know which games you’ll be playing.
