We purchased the The 8 Best Games on GamePass so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full products reviews.
The best GamePass games are engrossing, thrilling, and diverse in nature. There’s no shortage of options here thanks to the service’s hundreds of games, which can be overwhelming at first. It also demonstrates the diversity of titles and experiences available to GamePass subscribers on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
For avid gamers or those who simply want to try out different genres, it’s one of the best value services available. With so many titles to choose from, we tested a large number of games on the service to find the best games for those looking to jump right in.
Explosive first-person shooters like Gears 5 are available through GamePass for adult gamers looking to let off steam and explore new worlds, as well as the creative journey of Minecraft for the whole family to learn from. Others, such as Forza Horizon 4, provide unparalleled open-world racing experiences, while sporting games like MLB The Show 21 allow you to live out your fantasies. The best part is that all of these games are included in your monthly subscription, so there’s no need to pay extra.
We’ve focused on providing the most diverse selection possible here, covering many of the most popular genres to ensure that there’s something for everyone’s taste, age group, and ability level. Continue reading to learn about the best games available on GamePass.
Best Overall: Turn 10 Studios Forza Horizon 4
Forza Horizon 4 (Check latest price on Amazon) may appear to be just another racing game on the surface, but there’s a lot more to it. It has an open-world design that allows you to explore its beautiful landscapes, which capture the essence of different parts of the United Kingdom, such as Edinburgh and quaint English villages. Players can participate in races with various challenges or simply roam the hills and complete various types of missions to unlock new cars and gain influence in the game world.
There are co-operative multiplayer modes as well as competitive multiplayer races in addition to the extensive single player mode. There’s even a Battle Royale mode here, with the winner being the last car standing. The addition of the Lego Speed Champions DLC has increased the fun factor for kids by allowing them to race with Lego replicas of famous supercars.
It’s all very friendly, and it’s the kind of game that even non-racing fans will enjoy because it’s so liberating.
ESRB: E (Everyone) | Install Size: 62.92GB
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Best First-Person Shooter: 343 Industries Halo: Master Chief Collection (Xbox One)
The first Halo game not only revolutionized the first-person shooter genre, but it also made the original Microsoft Xbox far more popular than anyone could have predicted. The original Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 4, as well as Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach, are now available in fully remastered anniversary editions.
It’s a massive package that allows you to immerse yourself in the intricate story of Master Chief’s battle (Check latest price on Amazon) against the Covenant for dozens of hours. While the controls are a little dated at times, and the visuals are a little dull, it’s an epic journey that will enchant you.
You also don’t have to go it alone. Before jumping into one of the many multiplayer modes, you can play in split-screen mode or online with your friends. The latter has a slightly smaller community than before, but there are enough customizations to keep it busy. It’s a tantalizing taste of gaming’s past.
ESRB: M (Mature, Ages 17+) | Install Size: 62.74GB
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Best Massively Multiplayer Game: Microsoft Studios Sea of Thieves (Xbox One)
If you’re a social player, Sea of Thieves (Check latest price on Amazon) gives you a lot of options. Players command their own ship as they sail the seven seas, plundering other ships or exploring new islands and areas.
It’s best to play with others because teamwork can drastically improve your chances of winning. If you come across more aggressive players intent on causing you trouble while playing solo, you can still have a lot of fun simply sailing around to see what’s out there.
When you play with friends, however, it feels like a completely new game. With the world offering what feels like a personalized experience at every turn, you’ll create some fantastic gaming memories together. You’ll truly feel like you’re a part of something big, and that comes with a lot of responsibility. It’s also visually stunning, with some amusing asides thrown in for good measure.
ESRB: T (Teen) | Install Size: 10GB
Best Third-Person Shooter: Microsoft Studios Gears 5 (Xbox One)
Gears 5 (Check latest price on Amazon) is the latest in the long-running series of Gears of War games. They’re all available through GamePass, but Gears 5 stands out thanks to being less linear than its predecessors. Players are able to truly explore the game world rather than find themselves following corridor after corridor. That gives you a chance to see a bit more of what’s going on as well as feel more in control of what happens next. Vast icy tundras are some of the highlights here and there are opportunities to control vehicles as well as simply roam the lands before you.
Extensive co-operative modes, as well as competitive multiplayer, give you a fair amount of variety and there are generally online events each week, even if the community isn’t as active as it once was. Ultimately, the single-player campaign makes it gripping enough that Gears 5 will stick in your memory for a while to come. Just be ready for a lot of gore and violence.
ESRB: M (Mature, 17+) | Install Size: 42GB
Best Family Game: Team 17 Overcooked! 2 (Xbox One)
Overcooked! 2 (Check latest price on Amazon) will elicit a great deal of debate, but in the best possible way. Players must work together to prepare meals, which may seem simple enough until you consider that you must do so quickly and while juggling multiple tasks. Its frantic but intuitive controls mean that you’re only ever let down by your inability to react quickly enough, which is how lighthearted family arguments can arise.
It’s ideal for the whole family as well as couples, thanks to its focus on cooperative play and logical controls, and the cartoony graphics keep things light. It’s also a great party game because it’s simple to learn but difficult to master. When you’re on your own, the challenge of negotiating a series of different levels is almost as satisfying.
ESRB: E (Everyone) | Install Size: 8.04GB
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Best Adult Game: Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto V (Xbox One)
Grand Theft Auto V (Check latest price on Amazon) is the game for you if you’re looking for a game that feels truly mature. It’s even more violent than Gears 5, and it’s perfect for anyone who enjoys crime films and wants to play one on their video game system. Grand Theft Auto V follows the story of a few different criminals, allowing you to see how events unfold from various perspectives while also providing you with plenty of things to do.
You’re also not obligated to follow the plot. It’s possible to explore the sandbox-style city and engage in minor criminal activity, steal cars, or simply buy out buildings for profit. If you want to complete some multiplayer heists, you can always play GTA Online. Grand Theft Auto V is a mature game with some graphic violence, but it’s perfect for reenacting The Godfather.
ESRB: M (Mature, 17+) | Install Size: 54.85GB
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Best Multiplayer Shooter: Bungie Destiny 2 (Xbox One)
Destiny 2 (Check latest price on Amazon) is a first-person shooter that also includes elements of role-playing and massively multiplayer to create a unique experience. It’s a big world with a lot of new content added on a regular basis, so you can get lost in it.
Choose a class and follow a specific path in your abilities to discover your strengths and weaknesses. Players can earn experience points to progress through the ranks, with rewards steadily increasing and encouraging you to play for longer periods of time each time.
When you team up with others, raiding against environmental threats or choosing to fight against other players, Destiny 2 really shines. Despite appearing to be solely focused on player interaction, the game has a rich storyline, as you’d expect from a game that has remained fresh for years.
ESRB: T (Teen) | Install Size: 50GB
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Best Creative Game: Microsoft Minecraft Starter Collection (Xbox One)
Minecraft is a game that seems to go on forever. It’s a huge sandbox world where you can build whatever you want. You can construct simple wooden huts and sticks, as well as vast palaces and entire games within games.
The Xbox’s impressive draw distances make it feel endless in the best possible way, and players can play in local split-screen or online multiplayer to do more together. Aside from the creative aspects, there’s also a Survival Mode in which you can explore the map, gather resources, and construct structures in order to survive the nighttime monsters. Despite its reputation as a toy for kids, it can still enthrall any adult who enjoys working with Lego or other crafting materials.
ESRB: E 10+ (Everyone, 10+) | Install Size: 1.12GB
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The Final Word
Forza Horizon 4 is an amazing open-world game that proves driving doesn’t have to be all about racing. It looks fantastic, and the Lego Speed Champions DLC is an added bonus for both kids and adults to enjoy.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Grand Theft Auto V are both explosive games that show how mature gaming can be. When players want something lighter but no less challenging, they can always switch to Overcooked! 2.
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