Microsoft’s $1 Billion Power Play for Xbox Game Pass Third-Party Games: Here Are the Best Titles They Have Secured So Far

Microsoft is committed to delivering great video game experiences to its community. Times have changed and the CEO of Xbox Gaming, Phil Spencer, introduced the idea of playing any game on either an Xbox console or PC as long as a player has an active Game Pass subscription which removes the barrier of paying full price for a game and making it much more convenient.

Throughout the years, the roster of games has come and gone, and it speaks volumes about Spencer’s vision to offer a diverse library of games. Here are a few of the greatest third-party games worth checking out on Game Pass.

5. Among Us

The gaming community has been begging for a great online multiplayer experience that doesn’t require any heavy action or skills in combat. Rather than outright exposing oneself by going after the enemy team, players will have to figure out which one of the Crewmates is an Imposter before they are all wiped out. The game mechanics are quite simple yet intriguing. Players on the Crewmates team must accomplish a series of tasks or identify all imposters and successfully eject them into the dark cold vacuum of space while having a keen eye and sharp observation skills to notice which among them is false.

Players on the Imposters’ side must successfully gain the trust of the Crewmaters without them suspecting their true nature. Players will vote on who they believe to be an Imposter and pick them off slowly but surely. The Imposters can silently incapacitate players on the Crewmates’ side to even the odds in their favor until they accomplish all the tasks provided. Among Us was released a few years before the global pandemic and when everything was bleak this game gave players some much-needed entertainment and socialization with friends from a distance.

4. Minecraft

Video games are not all about great storytelling, world-building, and lore; however, Mojang Studios has proven that the gaming community can craft their unique worlds through Minecraft and offer a creative gaming experience. Players can embark on a journey to explore the world, lay down blocks, and build spectacular structures or monuments. The only limit in a game like this is one’s imagination and it encourages players to be creative and offers them a great deal of freedom to create, design, and craft their world to their liking.

It may seem silly for a subscription service to include what is essentially a children’s game but this work of art has more benefits than one might assume. Players can express themselves freely without fear of being judged and Minecraft offers them a safe space to explore their creativity safely. This video game can improve skills that can later be used in real life and can be an advantage for those who invest enough time to get creative. Video games like this can sharpen a player’s skills with resource management which could have real-world applications in future careers.

3. Control Ultimate Edition

Remedy Entertainment delivers yet another thrilling video game paired with a compelling story. Jesse Faden is a troubled woman with an equally troubled past as she gains new psychic abilities to aid her in her quest to find some answers. The game was nominated for Game of the Year in 2019 and the gaming community has nothing but praise for this unique video game. Remedy Entertainment has since acquired the full rights to the franchise and is no longer tethered to 505 Games which is a huge step forward for the studio. This significant development could inspire the developers to delve into even more unconventional and captivating storylines in upcoming sequels.

The supernatural element has captivated the gaming community and being able to take flight and use other powerful abilities in a video game is shaping up to be a memorable experience. Otherworldly threats are lining up on the doorstep with Jesse on the verge of finding her brother, Remedy Entertainment knows how to up the stakes and offer a unique twist with the supernatural element.

2. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

The game developers of Respawn Entertainment doubled down on the success of the Star Wars Jedi franchise after the first installment became a financial and critical success. The gameplay and combat are somewhat influenced by the Soulslike genre paired with an original story that found a way to cleverly tie the story of Cal Kestis to the larger Star Wars universe without necessarily relying on the live-action films as a crutch.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a direct sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and it takes Cal Kestis and his crew on an interesting journey that pushes him to the end of his rope. Fans caught shades of the young Jedi slipping to the dark side in the few moments of weakness that he experienced prompting him to do terrible things out of grief, rage, and desperation. With the recent confirmation that the game developers of Respawn Entertainment are actively working on the third and final chapter of the Jedi franchise, fans will want to dive into this unique Star Wars project through the convenience of Xbox Game Pass.

1. GTA 5

Rockstar Games gave the gaming community an impressive video game that fended them off for a decade and an extra year before the imminent arrival of the highly-anticipated sequel. GTA 5 was released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 then was later ported to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and players found ways to entertain themselves through modding and role-playing. These kept the gaming community busy for a while, especially with the impressive Online multiplayer mode that kept receiving support from the developers.

The gaming community literally and figuratively grew up on the streets of Los Santos, and the game also received a next-generation boost for the PlayStation 5 and the current lineup of Xbox consoles. Some fans are wondering whether GTA 6 could rival the visuals of the predecessor and it is a no-brainer discussion given the decade-long development period and advancements in technology.

Although the Online mode does not come with the Xbox Game Pass subscription, the single-player story mode is more than worth it. Players can do hundreds of activities while enjoying the beautiful vistas of Blaine County, the desert of Sandy Shores, and the urbanized areas of the city of Los Santos. This game shaped the childhoods of many players and will continue to do so through the convenience of Game Pass.

Which of these games have you not checked out on Xbox Game Pass? Let us know in the comments section below!