Holy smokes, a whole host of games are dropping down the chimney today, ready to be played by anyone with a Game Pass subscription.
You ready for the full list? Take a swig of brandy and here we go: there’s Ben 10: Power Trip (Console, PC, Cloud), Broken Age (Console, PC, Cloud), Firewatch (Console, PC, Cloud), Lake (Console, PC, Cloud), Mortal Kombat 11 (Console, PC, Cloud), PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay (Console, Cloud), Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- (Console, PC, Cloud), Race With Ryan (Console, PC, Cloud), The Gunk (Console, PC, Cloud) and Transformers: Battlegrounds (Console, PC, Cloud).
That’s enough titles that we have to pick and choose what we talk about in this very article. The first biggie is The Gunk, due to launch later today (estimated time of arrival is 2pm GMT). This is the latest game from Image & Form Games, who are better known for their SteamWorld series. This is their ambitious foray into the world of 3D adventure games, and it’s an absolute stunner. We’ve got a review coming when it launches, but we can reveal that it’s a beaut.
Another game that came out today, making it a Day One Game Passer, is Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-. That impenetrable title hides a Metroidvania from a series that many consider to be the best ever. Here in the west, Record of Lodoss War hasn’t generated as much love as in its native Japan, but its dynamic gameplay and deep lore make it an eastern favourite.
Outside of the two new titles, there are offerings for every kind of player. If you’re of the narrative orientation, there’s Firewatch, Lake and Broken Age, which are all stupendous adventures. We considered Firewatch to be our best walking simulator ever, which makes it worth a stroll.
If you have kids, then there’s plenty here. Ben 10: Power Trip, PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay, Race with Ryan and Transformers: Battlegrounds (it’s okay to want to play the latter one yourself) are perfect for younger players. We’d recommend PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay in particular, if you have an infant: it’s the best PAW Patrol game by quite a distance, knocking the buggy and slim recent game into a cocked hat. Just don’t let them play Mortal Kombat 11.
All that remains is to tell you which games are leaving the service. On December 31st, we will see out the year by wishing goodbye to eFootball PES 2021 (Cloud and Console), The Little Acre (Cloud and Console), Yakuza 0 (Cloud, Console, and PC), Yakuza Kiwami 1 (Cloud, Console, and PC) and Yakuza Kiwami 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC).
Got any particular favourites? Let us know in the comments below and on our various social channels. And have a bloomin’ lovely Christmas.
