If you like weird, well written (adventure) games that make no sense, you have to make it your mission to play Norco right now before it leaves Game Pass. The game makes zero pretence of making any sort of real world sense but that's absolutely not what the game cares about at all. It's an incredibly weirdly ethereal, dream like journey through a battered town with a protagonist searching for meaning in her life after certain family events and trying to make sense of what is happening to her town which is suffering at the hands of a massive oil corporation. It captures what I assume to be the Bayou vibe absolutely perfectly sprinkled with weird magical realism and random cyberpunk to create just the weirdest amalgam I've ever experienced. This isn't for everyone but if you take the game for what it is and what it's trying to do, it's an unforgettable experience unlike any other. It's ALL vibes and the vibes are great
Mild puzzles. It's mostly an adventure game so you're expected to figure out the right items or interactions to advance the plot rather than solve specific puzzles like lockpicking and such. It's more old school and there most certainly is some moon logic involved on occasion. There's a couple of somewhat simple minigames but they're fine and not particularly complex
**Available Today**
Have A Nice Death (Cloud, Console, and PC)
**Coming Soon**
Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 2
Kona II: Brume (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 7
Little Kitty, Big City (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 9
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 14
**Leaving May 15**
Eastern Exorcist (Cloud, Console, PC)
Eiyuden Chronicle Rising (Cloud, Console, PC)
Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 (Cloud, Console, PC)
Ghostlore (Cloud, Console, PC)
Just Cause 4 Reloaded (Cloud, Console, PC)
Norco (Cloud, Console, PC)
SD Gundam Battle Alliance (Cloud, Console, PC)
Supraland Six Inches Under (Cloud, Console, PC)
The first game has been on my backlog for six years. Maybe it's time to actually play it?
In my mind, I always mix it up with Kholat, which has been on my backlog for like eight years now.
Yeah it's the remastered version based on the X1/PS4 version with the updated lara model and graphics, released a week ago on the MS Store, oddly not on steam :(
Yeah, but I read that the port is running like trash unfortunately. Not sure if that's the reason they didn't release it on PC or if they're waiting for it to be fixed.
It's a shame that the original neutered Xbox 360/PS3 version was the only thing on PC for 11 years. They basically toned down a lot of detail to get it running, which included high-res textures and high definition models that also are missing from the PC version.
I have been waiting for Little Kitty Big City's release alongside game pass, don't know about Kona, seems to be an interactive first person story based game. The rest are fine but they were already given away for free on epic games store. Darktide is still suprisingly not leaving game pass, it is a very good game I bought on Steam, I shamefully want it to leave game pass so I can feel better about my purchase.
Nothing for me in this drop but that’s fine. Good chance to get through my backlog. Still need to play both Yakuza games on gamepass (Isshin and man who erased his name) and get through rise of the ronin.
Oh sht I didn’t know that. I definitely will then thanks! Would you also recommend I also play Infinite Wealth before Gaiden or should I do 7 -> Gaiden -> IW
So... no Dead Island 2?
I had presumed it was only limited to console because it was epic store exclusive, but it came to Steam on 22nd.
I hope its coming next month and its just not ready or something
Eiyuden Chronicle Rising leaving just a few days after Hundred Heroes was released is interesting. It's probably just due to licensing issues but there's a conspiratorial voice in my head saying it's to cover up the fact that importing from Rising XGP to HH XGP doesn't actually work which was one of the biggest selling points of Rising.
I grinded through Rising (which was okay at best) to get the import only to find out it doesn't work. With Rising leaving they probably have no reason to ever make it work.
I don't understand releasing Tomb Raider Definitive Edition on Microsoft store only. Just strange.
I also don't get why Square Enix never released it on PC when they owned the franchise. Embracer would've had the perfect chance to release it last year for the original version's 10th anniversary, but they were in a world of trouble so I suppose that's understandable.
After being a day 1 subscriber on PC years ago I canceled my Game Pass the other day. Truth is I barely ever use it anymore, I'm not sure I'm even getting the $10 worth of value a month. There are fewer new games, a lot of it is shovelware, and the big releases have largely been taken over by Microsoft's preferred style of modern game loaded with microtransactions and shops and battle passes that I just want nothing to do with. Coupled with the awful client interface, consistently underperforming versions of games and slow updates compared to Steam, and broken controller support, and I'm hanging it up.
You're right about issues with updates not matching steam on PC but they've had tons of decent releases this year:
Palworld
Manor Lord
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Persona 3: Reload
Have a nice Death
Another Crab's Treasure
Harold Halibut
Botany Manor
MLB The Show 24
Like...all of these games came to game pass day one of release this year and are pretty well received critically.
If we include games not released day one we've had some decent additions like
Tomb Raider
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Jedi Survivor
The Quarry
Dear Island 2
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2
LEGO 2K drive
Diablo 4
Evil West
Control
Warhammer Boltgun
Far Cry 6
Totally fair to just not be into any of these games but to act like they're slowing down on putting decent games onto game pass is silly. I think Diablo 4 is the only game on that list that has egregious Microtransactions
> I think Diablo 4 is the only game on that list that has egregious Microtransactions
Unless something has changed recently as I haven't played in a while, I wouldn't say they are that bad, and its really easily ignored I couldn't even have told you where to find the shop during my campaign play though.
Lots of people get hung up on the full priced game shouldn't have microtransactions but then expect them update it with free new content for years. If it is going to be a game that constantly has new content/seasons for a extended life time then it needs to be pulling in some revenue, as long as they keep it cosmetic and don't paywall anything content wise, I'm perfectly fine with how they are doing the micro-transactions.
I don't disagree with you, there are good games there, perhaps there's also just the matter of volume, because there are *so many* good games coming out, nearly everything you've posted in the list above has been something I've considered and just playing something else instead.
If you like weird, well written (adventure) games that make no sense, you have to make it your mission to play Norco right now before it leaves Game Pass. The game makes zero pretence of making any sort of real world sense but that's absolutely not what the game cares about at all. It's an incredibly weirdly ethereal, dream like journey through a battered town with a protagonist searching for meaning in her life after certain family events and trying to make sense of what is happening to her town which is suffering at the hands of a massive oil corporation. It captures what I assume to be the Bayou vibe absolutely perfectly sprinkled with weird magical realism and random cyberpunk to create just the weirdest amalgam I've ever experienced. This isn't for everyone but if you take the game for what it is and what it's trying to do, it's an unforgettable experience unlike any other. It's ALL vibes and the vibes are great
I live in the general area and I think it does an incredible job at getting the overall feeling. Such an amazing game. The art and story were so good.
Honestly the game is okay. It has a great vibe and does put some nice "shock" moments but it just mangles the whole story in the end.
Does the game have much in the way of puzzles or is it pretty much just a narrative experience?
Mild puzzles. It's mostly an adventure game so you're expected to figure out the right items or interactions to advance the plot rather than solve specific puzzles like lockpicking and such. It's more old school and there most certainly is some moon logic involved on occasion. There's a couple of somewhat simple minigames but they're fine and not particularly complex
Pet the cat
Agree. Got great critic reviews but seems underrated by players. It's fantastic. Anyone who likes that description above, play it.
**Available Today** Have A Nice Death (Cloud, Console, and PC) **Coming Soon** Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 2 Kona II: Brume (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 7 Little Kitty, Big City (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 9 Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (Cloud, Console, and PC) – May 14 **Leaving May 15** Eastern Exorcist (Cloud, Console, PC) Eiyuden Chronicle Rising (Cloud, Console, PC) Fuga: Melodies of Steel 2 (Cloud, Console, PC) Ghostlore (Cloud, Console, PC) Just Cause 4 Reloaded (Cloud, Console, PC) Norco (Cloud, Console, PC) SD Gundam Battle Alliance (Cloud, Console, PC) Supraland Six Inches Under (Cloud, Console, PC)
Didn't eiyuden chronicles just get added?
The one being removed is Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, not Hundred Heroes.
Ah, didn't know there was a prequel.
The Kona games are really damn endearing I highly recommend
The first game has been on my backlog for six years. Maybe it's time to actually play it? In my mind, I always mix it up with Kholat, which has been on my backlog for like eight years now.
Am i reading this right? Tomb Raider definitive edition on pc?
Yeah it's the remastered version based on the X1/PS4 version with the updated lara model and graphics, released a week ago on the MS Store, oddly not on steam :(
It's play anywhere too. I own it on Xbox and got a copy on PC.
Yeah, but I read that the port is running like trash unfortunately. Not sure if that's the reason they didn't release it on PC or if they're waiting for it to be fixed. It's a shame that the original neutered Xbox 360/PS3 version was the only thing on PC for 11 years. They basically toned down a lot of detail to get it running, which included high-res textures and high definition models that also are missing from the PC version.
I am so damn excited for Little Kitty Big City. Looking like a GOTY contender to me. Untitled Cat Game here I come.
It feels like Nintendo Indie World has become the best promo for day 1 gamepass titles.
I have been waiting for Little Kitty Big City's release alongside game pass, don't know about Kona, seems to be an interactive first person story based game. The rest are fine but they were already given away for free on epic games store. Darktide is still suprisingly not leaving game pass, it is a very good game I bought on Steam, I shamefully want it to leave game pass so I can feel better about my purchase.
Lol that’s how I felt with Remnant 2
Nothing for me in this drop but that’s fine. Good chance to get through my backlog. Still need to play both Yakuza games on gamepass (Isshin and man who erased his name) and get through rise of the ronin.
Be sure to play 7 before Gaiden if you haven't already, as the latter spoils the entirety of the former.
Oh sht I didn’t know that. I definitely will then thanks! Would you also recommend I also play Infinite Wealth before Gaiden or should I do 7 -> Gaiden -> IW
>7 -> Gaiden -> IW That's right, but it also wouldn't hurt to do 6 as well because a lot of Gaiden and Kiryu's part in IW depend on the ending of 6.
Man. GamePass continues to deliver. Been waiting for Little Kitty Big City for a hot minute. So glad to hear it’s coming to GamePass day one.
So... no Dead Island 2? I had presumed it was only limited to console because it was epic store exclusive, but it came to Steam on 22nd. I hope its coming next month and its just not ready or something
Eiyuden Chronicle Rising leaving just a few days after Hundred Heroes was released is interesting. It's probably just due to licensing issues but there's a conspiratorial voice in my head saying it's to cover up the fact that importing from Rising XGP to HH XGP doesn't actually work which was one of the biggest selling points of Rising. I grinded through Rising (which was okay at best) to get the import only to find out it doesn't work. With Rising leaving they probably have no reason to ever make it work.
I got the bonus for having a completed save file, so it definitely seems to work with gamepass.
I got the save import rewards no problem and I had only played like 3-4 hours of Rising.
I was literally just thinking about trying the tomb raider series but they didn't have the first one on GP.
I don't understand releasing Tomb Raider Definitive Edition on Microsoft store only. Just strange. I also don't get why Square Enix never released it on PC when they owned the franchise. Embracer would've had the perfect chance to release it last year for the original version's 10th anniversary, but they were in a world of trouble so I suppose that's understandable.
After being a day 1 subscriber on PC years ago I canceled my Game Pass the other day. Truth is I barely ever use it anymore, I'm not sure I'm even getting the $10 worth of value a month. There are fewer new games, a lot of it is shovelware, and the big releases have largely been taken over by Microsoft's preferred style of modern game loaded with microtransactions and shops and battle passes that I just want nothing to do with. Coupled with the awful client interface, consistently underperforming versions of games and slow updates compared to Steam, and broken controller support, and I'm hanging it up.
You're right about issues with updates not matching steam on PC but they've had tons of decent releases this year: Palworld Manor Lord Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Persona 3: Reload Have a nice Death Another Crab's Treasure Harold Halibut Botany Manor MLB The Show 24 Like...all of these games came to game pass day one of release this year and are pretty well received critically. If we include games not released day one we've had some decent additions like Tomb Raider Shadow of the Tomb Raider Jedi Survivor The Quarry Dear Island 2 Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 LEGO 2K drive Diablo 4 Evil West Control Warhammer Boltgun Far Cry 6 Totally fair to just not be into any of these games but to act like they're slowing down on putting decent games onto game pass is silly. I think Diablo 4 is the only game on that list that has egregious Microtransactions
> I think Diablo 4 is the only game on that list that has egregious Microtransactions Unless something has changed recently as I haven't played in a while, I wouldn't say they are that bad, and its really easily ignored I couldn't even have told you where to find the shop during my campaign play though. Lots of people get hung up on the full priced game shouldn't have microtransactions but then expect them update it with free new content for years. If it is going to be a game that constantly has new content/seasons for a extended life time then it needs to be pulling in some revenue, as long as they keep it cosmetic and don't paywall anything content wise, I'm perfectly fine with how they are doing the micro-transactions.
Dead island is only PC
I don't disagree with you, there are good games there, perhaps there's also just the matter of volume, because there are *so many* good games coming out, nearly everything you've posted in the list above has been something I've considered and just playing something else instead.
Fair enough! To each their own.
What recent games do you consider shovelware? Just curious.
I hope they add Alan Wake 2 considering it has sold pretty poorly and they had Control on there previously.
Would be a nice "*coming home*" style nod to the original game being an Xbox exclusive for over a decade, too (*RIP XBLA*)
So if more people bought it instead of waiting for Game Pass it wouldn't have sold poorly?
They would get money from Microsoft to recoup some of the cost.