Microsoft’s overarching business plan for itsXbox Series X|Sconsoles isn’t too difficult to decipher. The company has a clear vision to get as much of its player base onto theirGame Passservice as possible, with hopes that the platform will have similar success to Netflix or Disney+. Microsoft’s advertising and promotion of the service has become far more aggressive in recent months, with numerous titles being frequently added and further day one releases being promised, such as Square Enix’sOutriders.
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One of the most notable moves that Microsoft has made recently has been the acquisition of ZeniMax Media, the parent company of gaming juggernaut Bethesda. The acquisition has added even further value to Game Pass, with the promise of upcoming day one releases being supplemented by a wave of new titles added to the service. Although the majority of games added were ones that players most wanted, there are a few titles that certain sections of the Xbox fanbase would love to see included. The 10 games on this list didn’t reach the success of titles likeFallout: New VegasorOblivion,but they’re still enjoyable games that could all offer something to the service.
10WET
WETwas released by Bethesda in 2009 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game was developed by Artificial Mind & Movement, which is today known as Behaviour Interactive. The game is known for itsover-the-top action, as the game supplemented its violent sword and gun fighting with acrobatic movements and cinematic slow-motion moments.
A sequel, simply titledWET 2,was confirmed to be in development back in November 2010. However, very little has been heard about the game since, so it’s either the best-kept secret in gaming, or it has sadly been canceled.
9Brink
Brinkisn’t a stranger to featuring on top 10 lists, though the title usually has the word “disappointment” in it. The game received a ton of hype and was expected to rejuvenate the first-person shooter genre back in 2011. However, it was met with lackluster fan reception and mediocre reviews exemplified by its Metascores ranging from 68 to 72.
Despite this,Brinkhas started to get some appreciation in recent years. The game isn’t being excused for its faults; instead, it’s appreciated for how ahead of its time it was. The fast-paced action,squad-based gameplay, andlayered lorehave been seen in some of the gaming industry’s top multiplayer titles of recent years, likeApex LegendsandOverwatch.Consequently, it would be great to haveBrinkon Game Pass so that its influence can be appreciated without gamers having to pay for a product that does have its shortcomings.
8IHRA Drag Racing: Sportsman Edition
One of the best things about Game Pass is that generally speaking, it has something for everyone. However, there are some genres that are currently more prominent than others, one of which is Racing. Game Pass is a fantastic service for fans of racing games with titles likeDirt 5andForza Horizon 4being available alongside the offering from EA Play such asNeed For Speed Heat.
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It’s fair to say thatIHRA Drag Racing: Sportsman Editionwouldn’t be one of the top titles if it landed on the Game Pass service, as the game received a mediocre reception upon release. However,the original Xbox titlewould offer something different to the racing games currently available on the service, with its old-school gameplay and drag-racing theme.
7Star Trek: Legacy
The recent announcement thatStar Wars: Squadronsis coming to EA Play and subsequently Game Pass may deter Microsoft and Bethesda from puttingStar Trek: Legacyonto its service. However, this would be a shame as the game can provide an enjoyable experience for theStar Trekfranchise’s large fanbase.
2006’sStar Trek: Legacywas developed by Mad Doc Software, who are today known as Rockstar New England, followingTake-Two Interactive’s acquisition of the company in 2008. The studio has since offered supportive roles in developing some of Rockstar’s largest titles, includingGrand Theft Auto VandRed Dead Redemption 2.
6Hunted: The Demon’s Forge
Hunted: The Demon’s Forgewas released in 2011 and drew interest for its immersive and well-crafted dark fantasy setting. The game follows two protagonists, Caddoc and E’lara, as they search for an artifact that appeared to the former in a vision. As the use of two protagonists suggests, the game can be played co-operatively.
Hunted: The Demon’s Forgewas developed by inXile Entertainment, who releasedWasteland 3last year to critical acclaim.
5Pirates of the Caribbean
Back when thePirates of the Caribbeanvideo game was released in 2003, movie tie-in games were prevalent, with memorable titles likeHarry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsandThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Kingreleasing around the same time. However, the movie tie-in genre would only be prominent in the gaming industry for a few more years, as gamers soon released that these releases often had to be developed by strict deadlines, resulting in rushed products.
ThePirates of the Caribbeangame was released shortly before the film, implying that it would suffer similar issues. However,the action-RPGdidn’t feel rushed, likely because it was initially developed as a sequel toSea Dogs, giving it a more natural development cycle.
4Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth
Game Pass has its fair share of horror games on the service already, withResident Evil 7: Biohazard,The Evil Within,and the deceivingly terrifyingSubnauticaall trying their best to keep players up at night. However, the horror genre continues to be one of the gaming industry’s most prevalent, so it may be worth Bethesda and Microsoft considering the inclusion ofCall of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth.
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Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earthwas initially released on the original Xbox in 2005, before coming to PC the following year. The game was ahead of its time by giving players no weaponry to begin with, similar to titles likeAmnesia: The Dark DescentandOutlast.Players will eventually find firearms, though like in any good survival horror game, ammunition is scarce.
3Quake 4
Quake 4was initially published by Activision in 2005, though Bethesda handled the 2012 re-release, making its inclusion on Game Pass a possibility. The game would be a perfect inclusion for those looking for multiplayer fun with friends, as theQuakefranchise has been providing such entertainment for many years with its fast-paced Deathmatch and Capture The Flag game modes.
Quake 4was well-received by critics, receiving Metascores of 75 and 81 on PC and Xbox 360 respectively.
2The Evil Within 2
Much likeQuake 4,The Evil Within 2isn’t forgotten in the sense that most gamers have never heard of it, but that the game seems perfect for the Game Pass service but has been overlooked. It’s possible that the game is being held back so that Microsoft can announce another AAA Bethesda game in the future, though until then, it will be seen by many as the most disappointing exclusion.
The Evil Within 2was well-received by fans and critics, with much of the praise being directed tothe game’s open-world, which was likely implemented to differentiate the sequel from its predecessor.
1Rage
Ragefeels like a forgotten child,much likeThe Evil Within 2,as the series' other entry is currently on Game Pass. The decision to includeRage 2but not its predecessor is an especially odd choice as the original game was better received than its sequel, exemplified by the Xbox 360 game scoring nearly ten points higher than its successor on Metacritic.
Ragecertainly wasn’t without its faults, but the open-world game provides an enjoyable post-apocalyptic experience that will appeal to people looking for a similar experience to Bethesda’sFalloutgames, many of which are currently on the service.
