Go to Hell in Doom: The Dark Ages, Now on Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate -- a CNET Editors' Choice award pick -- offers hundreds of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC or mobile device for $20 a month. A subscription gives you access to a large library of games, with new titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 added monthly, plus other benefits, such as online multiplayer and deals on non-Game Pass titles.
Read more: Get Ready to Pay $80 for Xbox Games Later This Year
Here are the games Microsoft is adding to Game Pass in May. You can also check out what games the company added to the service in April.
Doom: The Dark Ages
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play now.
The wait is over. Microsoft brought the next installment in the storied Doom franchise to Game Pass, and I couldn't be more excited. This entry takes place before Doom (2016) and follows the Doom Slayer on his battles through a medieval Hell. There's a shield that doubles as a chainsaw, a gun that grinds up skulls for ammo, a dragon and a huge mech you can pilot to beat down giant demons. What more could you ask for?
If you want more Doom after playing this installment of the franchise, Game Pass has you covered. Here's how you can play modern and classic Doom games on the service.
Warhammer: Vermintide 2
Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play now.
This acclaimed co-op action game is returning to Game Pass more than three years after Microsoft removed it. The Chaos army and Skaven horde are out to crush the Empire, and the only thing standing in their way is you and your friends. Choose between five different characters, like a mercenary and a battle wizard, to fight through hordes of enemies in intense first-person combat. It's a bloody good time.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play now.
Charge up your Spirit Bombs to save history in this action roleplaying fighting game. The flow of time has been disrupted, and it's up to you to make sure history plays out as it was meant to. You'll create your own custom character with their own abilities, explore Conton City and battle some of the strongest fighters in the universe. Multiplayer servers also hold up to 3,000 players, so there's always someone new to fight.
Dungeons of Hinterberg
New to Game Pass Standard.
Game Pass Standard subscribers can play this dungeon-crawling adventure almost a year after Game Pass Ultimate players could. This game combines combat, exploration and elements of social games into a charming and colorful package. You play as Luisa, who left her dead-end job to seek adventure in the regions surrounding the mountain town of Hinterberg. Wield magic, slay monsters, snowboard, make friends and sample delightful Austrian cuisine, like schnitzel and Eismarillenknödel, which is a type of ice cream dumpling filled with apricots that sounds wholly awesome.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
New to Game Pass Standard.
Game Pass Ultimate players have had access to this action RPG game since July, and now Game Pass Standard do, too. The gods have scarred the world, so it's up to you and your fox-like companion to take them all down in this game. You play as an elite member of a coalition army who uses melee, gunpowder and magical abilities to fight. If you use your abilities with precise timing in rhythmic battles, you can create deadly combos to take down the most enemies.
Metal Slug Tactics
New to Game Pass Standard.
Game Pass Standard subscribers can play the latest Metal Slug game a few months after it exploded onto Game Pass Ultimate in November. While past Metal Slug entries were filled with side-scrolling action, Metal Slug Tactics is a turn-based tactics game with RPG and roguelike elements. So you'll be able to upgrade your characters and weapons to conquer the battlefield.
Revenge of the Savage Planet
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play now.
You've got no gear, no job and no plan at the start of this satirical sci-fi adventure. Thanks to corporate greed and stupidity, you've been abandoned on a planet and have to explore every nook and cranny to survive. You'll have to use your wits in order to return to Earth, as well as to get revenge against your former corporate overlord.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play now.
The heroes in a halfshell are back in a new adventure. Shipments of mutagenic ooze are arriving in the city, and some new mutants are rising from the mess. They're not all bad, but you've got to find and stop the ones who are evil. You can also help citizens, deliver pizzas and build your own graffiti collection in this game.
Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo
Available to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers on May 16.
Use your wits, kindness and the occasional whack to gather clues and help the souls of Limbo move on in this papercraft adventure game. As Kulebra, you'll explore the colorful afterlife and meet some characters who are just as vibrant as the world around you. Some are still dealing with issues of loss or trauma, and it's up to you to show them a better way forward in this whimsical game.
Firefighting Simulator: The Squad
Available to Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers on May 20.
Experience what it takes to be part of a firefighting crew in this simulator. You'll operate digitally rendered Rosenbauer America fire trucks and use authentic firefighting gear from brands like Cairns and MSA. The game's physics system will make the fires spread and destroy structures in realistic ways.
Police Simulator: Patrol Officers
Available to Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers on May 20.
If you've ever wanted to experience the day-to-day life of a police officer, now you can from the comfort of your home. You'll start as a rookie and give out parking tickets before shouldering more responsibility around the fictional city of Brighton. Keep your eyes open because you might see a crash or other crime unfold right in front of your eyes.
Games that left Game Pass
While Microsoft is adding those games to Game Pass, the company also removed five others from the service. So you'll have to buy these games separately if you still need to finish your campaign or any sidequests.
For more on Xbox, check out other games available on Game Pass Ultimate now, read our hands-on review of the gaming service and learn which Game Pass plan is right for you. You can also check out what to know about the upcoming Xbox games price hikes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Engadget
8 hours ago
- Engadget
How AI can help you navigate layoffs, according to one executive producer at Xbox
It's been a rough week at Microsoft. Following the news that 9,000 people are being laid off at the company, one Xbox executive offered some questionable words of advice for people on their way out: Find solace in Microsoft Copilot. As reported by Aftermath , Matt Turnbull, an executive producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing who clearly did not lose his job recently, took to LinkedIn to let folks know, "You're not alone and you don't have to go it alone." In the same breath as acknowledging that AI evokes "strong feelings in people," Turnbull suggested that LLMs like ChatGPT and Copilot could "help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss." Turnbull went on to provide specific AI prompts that he recommended for recently laid-off people, including, "Write a warm intro message for reaching out to someone at [studio name] about a job posting." He explained how an LLM could aid overwhelmed developers in planning their careers and punching up their resumés, and also help with "emotional clarity and confidence." The post was circulated on Bluesky by Necrosoft Games director and Insert Credit host Brandon Sheffield, where it received a predictably negative reaction. According to Video Games Chronicle , LinkedIn users were similarly unimpressed. Turnbull deleted the post a few hours later. Here's the full text from the LinkedIn post: These are really challenging times, and if you're navigating a layoff or even quietly preparing for one, you're not alone and you don't have to go it alone. I know these types of tools engender strong feelings in people, but I'd be remiss in not trying to offer the best advice I can under the circumstances. I've been experimenting with ways to use LLM Al tools (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss. Here are some prompt ideas and use cases that might help if you're feeling overwhelmed: Career Planning Prompts:"Act as a career coach. I've been laid off from a [role] in the game industry. Help me build a 30-day plan to regroup, research new roles, and start applying without burning out." "What kinds of game industry jobs could I pivot to with experience in [Production/Narrative/LiveOps/etc.]?" Resume & Linkedin Help"Here's my current resume. Give me three tailored versions: one for AAA, one for platform/publishing roles, and one for startup/small studio leadership.""Rewrite this resume bullet to highlight impact and metrics." "Draft a new LinkedIn 'About Me' section that focuses on my leadership style, shipped titles, and vision for game development." Networking & Outreach"Draft a friendly message I can send to old coworkers letting them know I'm exploring new opportunities." "Write a warm intro message for reaching out to someone at [studio name] about a job posting." Emotional Clarity & Confidence "I'm struggling with imposter syndrome after being laid off. Can you help me reframe this experience in a way that reminds me what I'm good at?" No Al tool is a replacement for your voice or your lived experience. But at a time when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help get you unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity. If this helps, feel free to share with others in your network. Stay kind, stay smart, stay connected. Turnbull's post, however earnest, comes at a time when Microsoft is seemingly all-in on both AI and layoffs. The 9,000 job losses this week add to over 6,000 announced in May . Microsoft President Brad Smith began 2025 by committing to spend around $80 billion on AI infrastructure through the year, and CEO Satya Nadella recently shared that a large portion of his company's code is now authored by AI. Just last week, Business Insider reported on another executive telling employees that using Copilot is " no longer optional " in an internal memo. One developer at Halo Studios, which was affected by the layoffs, told Engadget's Jessica Conditt that they felt Xbox leadership was looking to "replace as many jobs as they can with AI agents." If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Newsweek
The Best Games of 2025 So Far, According to Critics
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors We're officially past the halfway point of the year, and 2025 has been an incredible year for high-quality video games — though less so for the games industry itself, especially after Microsoft's mass layoffs in Xbox studios. 2025 has brought us a glut of incredible games from teams of all sizes and projects of all budgets — from tiny two-person teams to billion dollar mega blockbusters. With so many incredible games to play, it might be a bit of a struggle to pick out which ones are worth playing, which is why we've put together this list of the best games of 2025 so far. These rankings are decided by Metacritic, where an aggregate of review scores from professional critics is applied to each game, and the Metascore is listed next to the game's name in our list. We've also excluded remasters and re-releases, and picked the highest scoring platform for each game, as scores tend to shift a bit depending on the hardware it's being played on. 1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – 93 Maelle slashing at an enemy in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Maelle slashing at an enemy in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Sandfall Interactive Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an incredible turn-based RPG that's well deserving of the top spot on the list. A fantastic story is paired with a top-notch combat system and gorgeous artwork and execution to make a game that has to be seen to be believed. In our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review we called the game a phenomenal piece of art, and it really is. It's going to be hard to top this one. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC 2. Split Fiction – 93 Split Fiction is the latest game from Hazelight Studios, best known for its prior work on award-winning games like It Takes Two and A Way Out. Like those games, Split Fiction is an exclusively co-op affair, filled with a lovely story of overcoming differences, accepting the past, and embracing the future. You can play solo on a single screen in the same room, or use the free friend pass to play over the internet, which is also a huge plus. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC 3. Blue Prince – 92 Indie roguelike puzzle game Blue Prince was a surprise smash hit when it released earlier this year, nearly instantly taking over the free time of anyone who caught wind of it. It's a fascinating game that has players exploring a mansion that changes every day, which can be influenced by drafting certain cards and rooms. Just about everyone who played Blue Prince absolutely fell in love with it, so just be aware that if you pick it up, you may lose weeks of your life to it. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC 4. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach – 90 Hideo Kojima and the team at Kojima Productions have done it again. Death Stranding 2 is a sight to behold, and it's one of the best-looking games on the PS5. It's got a bonkers story, as you'd expect from Kojima, and a whole host of gameplay improvements over the first game, and both make it worth checking out, even if you weren't super keen on the first game. Available on: PS5 5. Monster Hunter Wilds – 90 The Monster Hunter series has been rapidly growing in popularity since the release of Monster Hunter World back in 2018. Monster Hunter Wilds took the lessons learned from World and its follow-up Monster Hunter Rise to create a story-driven, fast-paced game with some of the best combat in the series' history. Some players have been mixed on the game's difficulty – or lack thereof – and PC optimization could certainly be better, but nobody has any complaints about the gameplay itself. It's phenomenal. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC 6. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector – 90 Citizen Sleeper was a huge leap forward for the RPG genre, and Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector took it even further. It's filled with tension, incredible world-building and character writing, and a whisper of tabletop gaming that made it feel both familiar and fresh. It's best played after its predecessor, and there's no better opportunity to play both games than right now. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC 7. Despelote – 89 Despelote came out of seemingly nowhere to become one of the most fascinating and beautiful games of the year. It's an autobiographical slice-of-life adventure game set in Ecuador in 2002 when the country qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. As a player you'll explore the city through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy, connecting with others and yourself through soccer, video games, and shared national pride. It's got an entirely unique art style that captures the fuzzy memories of a simpler life, and you owe it to yourself to play it. Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC 8. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – 88 As much a medieval life simulator as it is a video game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 takes a system-heavy, immersive approach to storytelling and gameplay. You'll step back into the shoes of Henry of Skalitz, who'll need to fulfil the role of a soldier, a spy, a blacksmith, or so much more to make his way through medieval Bohemia. It's an incredibly ambitious game that sticks the landing more often than not, and it's been highly praised by press and critics alike. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC 9. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo – 88 Pipistrello is a delightful indie game from Brazil that is heavily inspired by some of the best games of yesteryear, including The Legend of Zelda. It's got some gorgeous pixel art, a great mix of puzzling and adventure exploration, and a brilliant soundtrack featuring a guest track from Kingdom Hearts composer Yoko Shimomura. If you miss adventure games from the GBA era, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is for you. Available on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC 10. Monster Train 2 – 87 Sometimes you just need a rock-solid deck-building roguelike to get you through the day, and Monster Train 2 does exactly that, building on the incredible foundation that the first Monster Train laid. There's a truckload of new content, some incredible tweaks to the first game's formula, fantastic quality of life additions, in addition to everything people loved about the first game. Some fans are calling it the greatest deck-building roguelike of all time, and it's not hard to see why. Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Motor 1
a day ago
- Motor 1
Forza Motorsport Could Be in Trouble Following Microsoft Layoffs
It might be the end of an era for racing fans. Microsoft has allegedly slashed the staff at Turn 10 Studios, the developer behind the Forza Motorsport video game franchise. It's unclear how many people the studio laid off, but reports indicate that nearly half the staff has been let go. The Verge is reporting that around 70 people were fired, and it's unclear how this will affect future installments of the Forza Motorsport franchise. The studio launched the franchise's latest installment in 2023, simply named Forza Motorsport , for the Xbox Series X/S and PC. It garnered tepid reviews , with some disliking parts of the game's newer elements, like the RPG-style progression system, which the studio attempted to address. Photo by: Turn 10 Studios However, gamers have generally enjoyed the Motorsport franchise. Early examples of the game earned Metacritic scores in the low 90s; however, the scores began to falter with the release of Forza Motorsport 5 . Forza Motorsport (2023) was the eighth installment in the series. The franchise launched in 2005 as Xbox's response to PlayStation's Gran Turismo . Microsoft would expand the Forza franchise with the launch of Forza Horizon , an arcade-style open-world alternative that emphasized the motoring lifestyle more than perfect lap times at iconic tracks. The layoffs at Turn 10 were part of a larger culling throughout Microsoft's various divisions. There are no reports that the tech giant laid off anyone at the studio behind the Horizon franchise, England's Playground Games, which is also available on the PlayStation. We're All Waiting For This, Anyway: A New Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer Just Dropped. It Looks Insane Wasted: Grand Theft Auto VI Is Delayed Until 2026 Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Photo by: Turn 10 Studios Sources: The Verge , Insider Gaming Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
