MORE GAMES THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A STICK AT!
This latest batch of games is a long one, much to the annoyance of the person having to type this all up. Me. Anyways, here are the next set of games arriving on Xbox Game Pass, and leaving in the coming weeks, with not just Age of Empires III Definitive Edition leading the way, but a host of highly stylised titles to joining it.
So without further ado, let’s get into the nitty gritty…
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition (PC) – 15th October
This final remaster completes the Definitive re-releases of some of the greatest real-time strategy games on PC. Age of Empires has seen Definitive Editions of I and II released over the past two years and with this release of III now here, the celebration is now complete.
Bringing over all previously released expansions, Age of Empires III has 14 civilisations in total plus two brand new ones: the Swedes and the Incas. It also includes two new modes not seen before: Historical Battles and The Art of War Challenge Missions. Complete with a full single-player campaign and online multiplayer and the clue is in the title here: This is the Definitive Edition of Age of Empires III.
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition (Console & PC) – 15th October
Same day, another Definitive Edition. This time, the Tales of Vesperia variety. This re-release is of an Xbox 360 title that originally launched back in 2008.
Tales of Vesperia is widely regarded as the best “Tales Of” entry and an excellent JRPG in general. All the standard features of a Definitive Edition are present: new and improved visuals, new costumes and in-game items, and two new playable characters.
Tales of Vesperia is all about a power struggle for an ancient technology, known as the Blastia. On one hand, the kingdom of Terca Lumireis depends on this technology, but the Empire are the ones controlling it. When one such Blastia disappears from the city of Zaphias, our protagonist Yuri Lowell sets off on a quest to return it.
Heave Ho (PC) – 15th October
Here’s a new one; a game all about arm spans.
Having done the rounds on Steam and Nintendo Switch already, Heave Ho is a mad looking multiplayer title. Two to four players must join hands and work together through a variety of levels to reach the goal. Using momentum, they must fling the linked chain of players around a variety of obstacle, but perhaps most importantly, not let go of one another.
If co-operative play sounds too stressful, then Heave Ho has recently released a Versus mode. Those flailing limbs can now be used to pommel other players, which is probably what you wanted to do in real-life when trying to work together in the co-op mode.
Katana ZERO (Console & PC) – 15th October
Another game arriving on Xbox Game Pass after successful launches on Steam and Nintendo Switch is Katana ZERO.
As a katana wielding ninja – that also has the ability to manipulate time – you must travel through the world of New Mecca – completing assassination contracts. Katana ZERO features an instant death mechanic; you have no health bar here to worry about. Everything is a one-hit kill.
Accompanying this hack and slash side-scroller is a beautiful synthwave soundtrack and gorgeous pixel art style.
The Swords of Ditto: Mormo’s Curse (PC) – 15th October
I originally read this as ‘Momo’s Curse’ and thought we were heading back in time to that viral weird creature thing. Thankfully not!
The Swords of Ditto is a top-down action RPG with a delightful hand drawn aesthetic to it that reminds me of The Amazing World of Gumball or Clarence. It also features roguelike elements which might be a dirty word to some but it encourages replayability, and Swords of Ditto has a generally quick runtime.
This version also includes the free update Mormo’s Curse that was originally released on other platforms back in May 2019. It offers a major overhaul to the structure of the game and various quality of life improvements. You could argue that this is also the ‘Definitive Edition’…
ScourgeBringer (Console) – 21st October
There is a little bit longer to wait for this next title, but as it describes itself as a cross between Dead Cells and Celeste, I’d say it’s worth the wait!
A fast-paced free-moving roguelite – not roguelike this time – platformer, ScourgeBringer on the Xbox One puts you in the shoes of Kyhra. Described as the deadliest member of her clan, it is up to Kyhra to bring down a mysterious entity that has caused the demise of all of humanity.
Due to the fast-paced nature, combat is attacking only. That all-out offense will definitely be necessary to defeat the hordes of enemies and giant bosses found in the depths of these dungeons.
Cricket 19 – 22nd October
A day later than ScourgeBringer – and several weeks after the conclusion of the cricketing season – is Cricket 19.
It’s almost a rarity to see a sports game on Xbox Game Pass, so despite this being several seasons old by now, it is a notable addition. For those that like cricket at least, I imagine there are many others out there asking what cricket even is? For those shrouded in confusion, perhaps the best analogy is that cricket is similar to baseball: But instead of having four bases, batters run between two sets of wickets to score points, and each team only plays two innings each instead of nine. But each inning has ten outs as opposed to three.
If you’re still confused, check it out on Game Pass!
Supraland – 22nd October
Final addition in this latest batch is another previously released game launching straight into Game Pass for the first time, this one going by the name Supraland.
Describing itself as the ultimate “sandbox” adventure game, Supraland takes inspiration from Zelda, Metroid and Portal delivering first-person action and puzzle platforming.
Players must control a red stick figure through a vast open world, unlocking new abilities and areas along the way to request an audience with the Blue King. It looks cute, humorous and charming, a great game for all ages to enjoy!
So those are the newbies, but as with every inclusion list, some space needs to be made, and several games are leaving the subscription service. Already announced as leaving on 15th October were:
- Felix the Reaper (Console & PC)
- Metro 2033 Redux (Console & PC)
- Minit (Console & PC)
- Saints Row IV Re-Elected (PC)
- State of Mind (PC)
However, we have a few more leaving, this time on 30th October:
- After Party
- LEGO Star Wars III
- Rise & Shine
- Tacoma (Console & PC)
- The Lord of the Rings: Adventure Card Game (Console & PC)
- The Red Strings Club (PC)
You don’t have long left with these so if you have any interest, get on it!
As always, let us know in the comments which of these Xbox Game Pass titles you are most interested in.
