Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s subscription service for Xbox One owners. It’s designed to be like a “Netflix for games,” where you pay a simple monthly rate and get access to loads of games for download. It’s not to be confused with the Xbox Live Gold membership, which gives users a selection of free games each month.
There was a huge surge in popularity and profile for Xbox Game Pass in 2018, mainly due to Microsoft unveiling a strategy that puts brand new games on the service. Sea of Thieves was the first example of this, followed by State of Decay 2. Crackdown 3 launched on Feb. 15. Since then, the service has seen the Day 1 launch of several Xbox exclusives, including Gears 5, The Outer Worlds, and Halo: Reach on the Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
Membership to Xbox Game Pass will set you back $9.99 per month. You can now also get an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for $1 for the first month and $14.99 a month after that. The subscription includes an Xbox Live Gold membership as well as all of the games offered on Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass for PC. Plus, with cloud support, you can play a selection of Xbox Game Pass titles on your Android phone!
New games are added each month to Xbox Game Pass. Here are the games coming this month (with descriptions courtesy of the Xbox team):
Xbox Game Pass: Games for October 2020
Doom Eternal (Xbox) – October 1
“In Doom Eternal, you step into the armor of the Slayer, an unstoppable and unyielding force with a singular mission – Raze Hell and save humanity. Battle demons in an epic single-player campaign that takes you to Earth, to Mars, through Hell, and across dimensions never seen before.
“Your arsenal of powerful upgradeable guns, grenades and abilities makes you a force on the battlefield as you blast, stab, and shoot your way through demon hordes. Take what you need to survive – health, armor, and ammo – from your fallen enemies during the heat of battle.”
Xbox Game Pass: Games for September 2020
Crusader Kings III (PC) – September 1
“This grand strategy game puts you at the head of a noble house in a deeply researched medieval world. Use your armies, your diplomacy, and your wit to expand and elevate your dynasty. Each generation brings new characters and new challenges as pesky plotters, turbulent priests and ungrateful children challenge your efforts to keep your realm and your family in line. Pre-install now, so you’re ready when Sept comes.”
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard (Console & PC) – September 3
“Menace and desperation seethe through the rotting walls of an abandoned southern farmhouse. Resident Evil 7 biohazard marks a new beginning for survival horror with a shift to an immersive first-person perspective. Powered by the RE Engine, graphics reach new heights of incredible photorealism to further draw players into the disturbing game world.”
Company of Heroes 2 (PC) – September 17
“The follow-up to the highest rated RTS of all time, Company of Heroes 2 is an acclaimed blend of strategy and tactics will test players’ knowledge of real-world combat. Now with five armies included to play with in multiplayer and two single-player campaigns. Cover, line of sight, armor, and fully destructible environments all must be considered to lead your troops to victory.”
Destiny 2: Shadowkeep & Forsaken (Android & Console) – September 22
“Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to experience responsive first-person shooter combat filled with stylish finishers and devastating Super abilities. Create your Guardian and explore the mysteries of the solar system while collecting powerful gear to customize your look and playstyle. Brave challenging co-op missions, compete with other Guardians in a variety of PvP modes, and experience a cinematic sci-fi story throughout both the Forsaken and Shadowkeep expansions. You decide your legend.”
Halo 3: ODST (Android & PC) – September 22
“Play as an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST) and explore the war-ravaged streets of New Mombasa as you attempt to piece together the Covenant’s motivations for invading the city. As an ODST, you don’t have the firepower or the overshields to go head-to-head with Elites, Brutes, and Hunters – so use stealth and hit-and-run tactics to eliminate threats and sneak behind enemy lines.
“That’s not all though, as ODST Firefight is joining The Master Chief Collection on console and PC for the first time, with online matchmaking, dedicated servers, and new custom game modes! Grab some friends and hop into the fan-favorite mode as you take out wave after wave of Covenant invaders across 10 legacy maps.”
Night in the Woods (Android, Console, PC) – September 24
“Join college dropout Mae Borowski as she returns home to the crumbling former mining town of Possum Springs, seeking to resume her aimless former life and reconnect with the friends she left behind. But things aren’t the same. Home seems different now and her friends have grown and changed. Leaves are falling and the wind is growing colder. Strange things are happening as the light fades.”
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 (Android & Console) – September 24
“Sequel to the critically acclaimed Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide. Fight together with your friends against the forces of Chaos and Skaven in this epic 4-player co-op game set in the Warhammer Fantasy Battles world. Vermintide 2 expands the intense first-person combat with a brand-new enemy faction, 15 new career paths, talent trees, new weapons, an improved loot system, and more.”