Xbox Game Pass is a subscription service from Microsoft that offers hundreds of video games. Xbox Game Pass provides several plans, including a $9.99 basic plan for PC and consoles and a $14.99 ultimate plan that includes cloud gaming and the Gold subscription that offers exclusive deals and online multiplayer.
Like many subscription-based services, Xbox Game Pass keeps evolving. Microsoft has been adding a lot of great titles to its library since it was inaugurated in 2017, making it a very attractive investment for gamers.
However, with over 100 high-quality games, choosing which game to play and deciding whether Game Pass is worth it can be challenging. So, in this article, we'll talk about some of the best games on Xbox Game Pass in 2022 to help you find titles you'll love.
List of the Best Games on Xbox Game Pass in 2022
- Forza Horizon 5
- Halo Infinite (Campaign)
- No Man’s Sky
- A Plague Tale: Innocence
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
- Skyrim
- Death’s Door
- Control
- Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
- Subnautica: Below Zero
1. Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is the fifth installment of the legendary Microsoft game series released in November 2021 and available on Xbox Game Pass from day one.
This arcade open-world racing simulator allows players to explore a large map, compete in various racing events, collect and tune cars, and enjoy the fantastic world of racing. The game is set in Mexico, a picturesque country with white-sand beaches and tropical rainforests.
Forza Horizon 5 also has a multiplayer game mode, making it even more fun and one of the biggest online racing games.
2. Halo Infinite (Campaign)
Another legendary franchise from Microsoft was released in December 2021 and by far is one of the best games on Xbox Game Pass right now. Halo Infinite returns the players to the semi-open world of Zeta Halo, following the adventures of Master Chief, who must face the Banished taking control over the Zeta ring.
Halo Infinite is a first-person shooter following a linear storyline and featuring dozens of weapons and unique combat elements, like using the grappling hook to knock out the enemies or grab far-away weapons.
Halo Infinite is not a fully standalone game in the series, but you won’t feel too lost even if you haven’t played the previous titles.
3. No Man’s Sky
Credit: No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky is an open-world survival game that gives players free reign over a galaxy with over 18 quintillion planets to explore, each of which is procedurally generated with its unique flora and fauna.
Players are free to engage in space battles with enemy spacecraft, ravage planets for resources, discover new species of alien animals, and even engage in diplomacy with other characters.
After the launch, the game received harsh criticism due to the lack of some features and poor communication. However, multiple free significant updates that came after the launch significantly improved the game reception, making No Man’s Sky one of the most sophisticated and best games on Xbox Game Pass.
4. A Plague Tale: Innocence
A Plague Tale is a game that takes you to the darkest times of human history. It's a dark tale that tells the story of two children, Amicia and her younger brother, Hugo. For it is their desperate struggle against this devastating calamity that will decide their fate and the outcome of the war.
The game has a very dark, gritty feel, set in a medieval period where cities are dirty and filled with all sorts of people who have been shunned by society for being different. Rats have infested many parts of France, and their numbers grow daily. These rats are the carriers of the mysterious red death. We follow Amicia and Hugo as they journey through beautiful but deadly scenery, such as forests and abandoned castles that once belonged to royalty.
The game combines adventure, mystery, and horror with stealth elements and has a great story to tell, winning in the Outstanding Story-Rich Game category from Steam Awards in 2019.
5. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an action-adventure game developed by Respawn Entertainment. It is one of the best games on Xbox Game Pass and an absolute must for everyone who loves action games.
The game follows a surviving Padawan Cal Kestis of the Jedi Order and takes place five years after the storyline of Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
The game is played from a third-person perspective and allows players to use a lightsaber and the Force to engage in combat. Other characters can be recruited into the player's party and travel with the player, assisting in combat whenever their special abilities are called upon.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a fun, action-packed game and is generally praised by critics for its fantastic single-player adventure.
6. Skyrim
Skyrim is a game that pushes the envelope of video game storytelling without compromising on gameplay. A rare combination indeed, especially in open-world games that are often accused of favoring quantity over quality. One part of Skyrim's success is undoubtedly due to its art design, with graphics that are not only beautiful but serve a purpose - aesthetic or practical - within the game world.
Skyrim is considered by many to be one of the best RPG games of our time, but it's also an incredible visual masterpiece with a unique art style that sets it apart from its peers. Skyrim is available on Xbox Game Pass in Anniversary Edition.
7. Death’s Door
This indie game developed by Acid Nerve received multiple nominations and won the Best Indie Game at the 2021 Golden Joystick Awards, which makes it one of the best games on Xbox Game Pass in 2022.
The Death's Door is an isometric, action-adventure game, following a small crow who collects souls for the Reaping Commission Headquarters. Starting with a sword, bow, and arrow, the player acquires more weapons and magic artifacts as the game progresses. The player travels through the levels, defeating the bosses to pursue stolen souls that open the Death’s Door.
Critics praise Death's Door for its aesthetics and difficulty and for challenging the players without frustrating them to the point they give up.
8. Control
Control is a 2019 action-adventure game developed by Remedy Entertainment. It is a third-person action-adventure game set in a fictional version of New York City where players will take control of Jesse Faden, an agent of the Federal Bureau of Control fighting against supernatural enemies.
The game features a single-player mode that tasks players with exploring the building and using various weapons and abilities to defeat enemies. Control has received positive reviews, critics praising its style, TV-like storytelling, fast-paced combat, and challenging puzzles. Control is one of the best games available on Xbox Game Pass in the action and adventure genre.
9. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Mass Effect Legendary Edition was released in May 2021, featuring all three remastered Mass Effect games, with significant visual and gameplay improvements.
The Mass Effect games revolve around Commander Shepard's quest to save the galaxy from the Reapers, a race of sentient starships believed to be bent on galactic destruction. Throughout the game, the players must make choices that impact the story, including consequences that can be carried forward through the trilogy.
Legendary Edition received very positive reviews and is considered the best introduction in the franchise.
10. Subnautica: Below Zero
Subnautica Below Zero is a new Subnautica game released in 2021 and is probably one of the best exploration games on Xbox Game Pass. It takes place after the original Subnautica and is a story-based survival/adventure experience taking place in an open world from a first-person perspective.
The events of the game take place below the waves of planet 4546B. The player is cast into the role of a scientist who arrived on the planet to investigate the vanishing of the previous team of explorers.
Subnautica is a game that emphasizes survival and exploration, and players have to pay attention to various health metrics, including thirst, hunger, and even body temperature control, to ensure their character’s survival.
Final Thoughts on the Best Games on Xbox Game Pass in 2022
The Xbox Game Pass is an excellent subscription service, allowing you to play more than 100 great games. That being said, only a few new releases land on Game Pass on day one, so don’t expect to be able to play the latest games. However, Microsoft is doing a fantastic job bringing notable titles to the service, so having an Xbox Game Pass subscription is definitely worth it.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found a game on Xbox Game Pass to play. For more news on Xbox, stay tuned to Hackernoon.