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Tag: Game Pass Ultimate

  • Superhero workplace comedy, more powerwashing and other new indie games worth checking out

    Welcome to our latest roundup of what’s going on in the indie game space. It’s been a packed week with lots of tasty new games arriving, and news and reveals of upcoming projects. So, let’s take a look at a bunch of them.

    Before we get started though, Engadget senior editor Jessica Conditt spoke with Maxi Boch, one of the core trio behind Baby Steps, about how the game came together. Boch offered some fascinating insights into the game’s development process (which started in 2019), especially on the audio side.

    New releases

    Dispatch is a superhero workplace comedy from AdHoc Studio, a team that includes former Telltale Games developers. It adopts the narrative-heavy, dialogue-driven gameplay of Telltale’s games, with your choices having a bearing on how everything plays out. Dispatch has a packed cast as well, as it includes the likes of Aaron Paul, Laura Bailey and Jeffrey Wright.

    I really dug the demo, so I’m hoping to carve out some time to play Dispatch soon. As with many of Telltale’s games, AdHoc Studio went with an episodic approach for this one, but the developer is releasing them on a weekly basis. The first two episodes of Dispatch are out now on PS5 and Steam, and reviewers’ impressions so far are generally positive.

    We’ve got a trio of titles that just hit Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass to talk about, including PowerWash Simulator 2. I don’t typically listen to music or podcasts while I’m playing games. I prefer to listen to the game audio and I’m a terrible multitasker, anyway.

    However, I did catch up on a bunch of podcast episodes while playing the original PowerWash Simulator. I’m looking forward to doing that once again while blissfully ignoring IRL chores as I blast away virtual gunk with a pressure washer.

    “More of the same, but better” is exactly what I wanted from PowerWash Simulator 2, so I was very glad to read some reviews indicating that’s the case. As well as Xbox Series X/S, this sequel from FuturLab is also available on Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.

    Next up, we have a surprise Game Pass addition as Pacific Drive arrived on the Ultimate, Premium and PC tiers without prior warning this week. It wasn’t available on Xbox at all until now. Pacific Drive turns the title of Netflix’s F1 docuseries into an actual “drive to survive” horror game. You’ll roam the Pacific Northwest in a station wagon to search for parts to upgrade your vehicle and stay alive.

    Ironwood Studios and publisher Kepler Interactive brought Pacific Drive to Xbox on the same day they released an expansion called Whispers in the Woods. The game (and DLC) is also available on PS5 and Steam. I’ve been meaning to play Pacific Drive for a while but, as always, there are too many games and not enough time to check everything out. Perhaps I’ll finally try this now that it’s on Game Pass, but I might just end up waiting for the TV show instead.

    Here’s something interesting from DinoGod and publisher Annapurna Interactive. Bounty Star is a blend of mech action game, farming sim and base builder. As war veteran Clem, you’ll try to become a force for good in a “post-post-apocalyptic version of the American Southwest.”

    I’m interested to see how the core aspects of Bounty Star play off each other as you take care of your homestead and hunt down bounties in your mech (which you can customize). It’s out now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Steam and Epic Games Store. Bounty Star is on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass too.

    Ila: A Frosty Glide is a chill, 3D platform adventure from Magic Rain Studios and publisher First Break Labs. As a young witch-in-training named Ila, you’ll explore a snowy mountainous island while searching for your missing cat.

    My favorite thing about the game, at least based on the trailer and what I’ve read, is that instead of a broom, Ila uses a “skatebroom” to get around. It’s a skateboard and a flying broomstick in one! I’d like one of those.

    As it happens, developers Ítalo and Yesenia met while skateboarding. They started making games with skateboarding elements a few years later. Ila: A Frosty Glide is out now on Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and Nintendo Switch.

    After reading one sentence of a pitch for The Bench, I was sold: “In The Bench, you played as a retired secret agent on one last mission: escaping the retirement home and unfolding a pigeon conspiracy.” Wonderful stuff, there.

    As said pensioner, you’ll amass a flock of customizable pigeons to help you during your adventure as you explore some parks. Along the way, you’ll solve puzzles, play bowls and chess, doodle in your notebook, play pranks and go fishing.

    The Bench — from Voxel Studios and Noovola Publishing — is out now on Steam. I hope I don’t have to wait until I’m retired to have time to play it.

    Upcoming

    No More Robots unveiled two games this week, and one of them is a step in an (almost) entirely new direction for the publisher of Descenders Next and Little Rocket Lab. It’s now making games internally, and the first one to see the light of day is Cruise Control. This is a cruise liner management sim in which you’ll try to make your guests happy by fulfilling their needs and wants. It looks quite charming. I’m a big fan of the oversized bingo cage device.

    This is actually the third game No More Robots has worked on in-house, but it’s the first one that the company has unveiled. The publisher noted that Cruise Control isn’t quite ready. Still, playtests should start later this year ahead of an early 2026 release.

    The other upcoming game No More Robots showed off is Thank You For Your Application from IceLemonTea Studio. Here, you’ll review job candidates’ resumes and make decisions whether to bring them on board based on the hiring company’s criteria.

    This has an air of Papers, Please and No More Robots’ own Not Tonight series about it — you’ll have to deal with bills, rent and otherwise managing your life too. It also seems quite timely given that the job application process is now so onerous for many people. Thank You For Your Application will arrive in 2026 and there’s a demo available on Steam now.

    Finite Reflection Studios, the developer of last year’s acclaimed Void Sols, has revealed its next game. Mouseward is another Soulslike, but it’s one in the vein of ’90s collectathon platformers like Banjo-Kazooie. As a reincarnated Royal Mouse Guard, you set out to save the kingdom from a curse.

    I love the aesthetic here. There’s no release window for Mouseward as yet. It’s coming to Steam and you can play an early build on Itch right now.

    Speaking of games inspired by ’90s platformers, there’s danger that Windswept could become my entire personality for a spell. It’s coming to Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on November 11.

    Windswept — from WeatherFell and publisher Top Hat Studios — is a precision platformer which sees animal buddies Marbles (a duck) and Checkers (a turtle) trying to get back home after a storm whisks them away. The 40-plus stages are full of collectibles and have secrets for you to discover.

    The glimpses of levels where you have to navigate sticky walls and ceilings, thorny brambles and pirate ship masts are very reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country 2. I’m not exactly complaining though, as that’s one of my favorite games of all time.

    We’ve known for a while that a beat-’em-up based on the splatterfest movie series Terrifier was on the way and now we have a release date. Unfortunately, it’s not coming your way in time for Halloween, but you will be able to gingerly set foot into Terrifier: The ARTcade Game on November 21.

    Yes, yes, even Art the Clown is in Fortnite now, but you can also play as the brutal killer in his own game from Relevo and publisher Selecta Play. There’s support for local co-op for up to four players (and you can turn on each other, if you like. Terrifier fans will probably be pleased that they can use weapons like chainsaws and cleavers to cause bloody carnage. Terrifier: The ARTcade Game is bound for Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.

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  • A free, ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming option might be on the way

    It’s been quite the week for Xbox news. A lot of people are still coming to terms with Microsoft’s veritable gut-punch of that the price of a Game Pass Ultimate subscription is about to soar by 50 percent. And if that has already pushed you into with Xbox , it looks like Microsoft may soon attempt to tempt you back by giving away its cloud gaming service for free. That is, an extremely limited version of it, with ads.

    According to , Microsoft is preparing to announce an ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, which finally exited beta this week. Sources said to be familiar with Microsoft’s strategy told The Verge that game streaming with ads is already being tested internally with employees. You’ll reportedly be able to play select games that you own as well as a selection of Xbox Retro Classics titles. Microsoft will also offer Free Play Days games, an initiative that already lets Xbox users try games over a weekend. All of this will be possible without a paid Game Pass subscription.

    But the inevitable catch, beyond the restricted catalogue of available games, is that you could have to watch up to several minutes of ad content before getting into a game, and it sounds like there are a number of time-based restrictions as well. It’s currently being tested with a one-hour time limit, up to five times per month, though that could change come launch.

    Microsoft could launch its ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming tier in beta soon, and it will reportedly be available on PC, Xbox, handheld devices and on browsers. What isn’t clear is what streaming quality will be offered on the free version. Xbox Cloud Gaming’s 1440p option is going to be exclusive to Game Pass Ultimate, with Microsoft saving the “best quality” streaming for its most expensive plan. You’ll be capped at 1080p on the Premium and Essential tiers.

    All three paid Game Pass tiers include unlimited cloud gaming, but wait times get longer the further down you go. It’s fair to assume that any free cloud service not tied to Game Pass will be hit with longer wait times, though perhaps the enforced ads would hide those pretty well anyway.

    Matt Tate

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  • Hades returns to Game Pass on September 19

    In what’s most definitely (not) the biggest Hades news of the week, the acclaimed game is coming to Game Pass. Not the long-awaited sequel, mind you, but the 2020 original. At least subscribers can catch up on the first game while waiting out the sequel’s Switch exclusivity window. Hades will be available for Game Pass Ultimate, PC, and Standard tiers.

    This isn’t the roguelike’s first Game Pass rodeo. It was on Microsoft’s service from August 2021 to 2022. It returns this September 19, the same day Hades II launches on Switch 2 and Switch. The sequel also leaves early access then, jumping to version 1.0 on Windows and macOS. It will likely arrive on Xbox (and PlayStation) at some point, but developer Supergiant is mum for now.

    Game Pass members who haven’t played the original still get a phenomenal title as part of their subscription. You play as Zagreus, a godborn lad just trying to get the @#$! out of the underworld. (Aren’t we all?) The dungeon crawler brought unexpected narrative depth to the genre, with well-developed characters and satisfying combat.

    On September 17, the Game Pass Standard tier will get some Call of Duty love. Although perhaps “hate” would be a better term for the largely maligned CoD: Modern Warfare III (2023). To say the game wasn’t well-received would be an understatement. IGN scored it as “bad,” describing its single-player campaign as “shallow,” “dull” and “the worst Call of Duty single-player campaign I’ve played. Regardless, it arrives on the cheapest Game Pass tier after hitting the more expensive ones in mid-2024.

    Meanwhile, on September 18, Game Pass Ultimate members can play Frostpunk 2 on console. The post-apocalyptic city-builder will be available on Xbox Series X/S and via cloud streaming. Game Pass Ultimate members could already play it on PC, where it probably makes more sense. City-builders and gamepads can be a match made in… Hades.

    You can check out Microsoft’s blog post for this month’s complete list of arrivals and departures.

    Will Shanklin

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  • How Endless Legend 2 Raises the Tide on Turn-Based Strategy Games – Xbox Wire

    Summary

    • Endless Legend 2 (Game Preview) is a turn-based strategy game coming to Xbox on PC, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate on September 22, 2025.
    • The long-awaited sequel to its award-winning predecessor lets you conquer a fantasy world through four distinct pillars: Explore, Expand, Exploit, and Exterminate.
    • The Tidefall mechanic is developer Amplitude’s answer to game stagnation, working to keep every session feeling fresh.

    Endless Legend 2 is a fantasy turn-based strategy game, and the next title from Amplitude Studios who previously made Humankind and Endless Space. At launch it will feature five asymmetrical factions, tactical battles, multiple victory types (including seven different variations of the narrative victory condition), and countless hours of replayability as players explore and conquer Saiadha, a mysterious oceanic paradise going through cataclysmic change. Like the studios’ previous works, Endless Legend 2 represents a definitive step forward in the strategy genre through brand-new mechanics, such as Tidefall.

    A Tidal Problem

    Endless Legend 2 represents a specific style of strategy game you’ll have seen before that sometimes goes by another name, 4X games, a phrase coined a while ago to talk about the early Civilization titles. The four Xs represent distinct pillars: Explore, Expand, Exploit, and Exterminate.

    These days, the genre has evolved beyond this moniker — but that first phase, explore, remains a core design pillar of any strategy game. It’s the part that often struggles beyond the early portions of a campaign and this is one of the reasons the Tidefall mechanic emerged in Endless Legend 2. It represents a momentous event in-game where the oceans recede, revealing new lands, opportunities, and dangers.

    “Based on the decades of feedback Amplitude has collected since their first 4X game, we’ve found that players often find the exploration phase to be the most fun,” says Endless Legend 2’s Game Director Derek Paxton. “They would play for a while, then get bored when the full map is revealed and all the territory is claimed. At this point your options are to switch to either a full-on warmonger, or stay within your borders and try playing ‘tall’.”

    “We wanted to solve this by revealing new land as the game went on. Introducing new exploration phases and new opportunities to claim territory and expand. The biggest part of this is Tidefall, which can make strategic chokepoint cities obsolete or turn safe cities in your backlines into exposed targets as new land bridges are formed to other islands and empires.”

    While there’s less land to explore to begin with, starting in a smaller area does give you plenty of room to grow, explore, and adjust to your faction’s strengths and weaknesses in a relatively safe environment. Once the first Tidefall happens, the map opens up, changing the strategic landscape permanently.

    Endless Legend II Screenshot

    This change brings about new challenges – never mind that other major empires might have access to your lands now, but the environment also gets more dangerous. Fortresses guarded by NPC armies will need conquering, and after the third Tidefall event, menacing Doomwraiths will emerge from the planet’s depths, endangering areas you may have previously thought safe.

    Riding the Waves

    Disrupting the state of the game and player momentum isn’t something that should be done lightly, or too frequently. The Tidefall mechanic has gone through a few iterations in terms of impact and frequency, but through extensive testing Amplitude feels like they’ve found a good sweet spot.

    “We started with eight Tidefalls and slowly reduced them as we went through playtesting,” says Paxton. “The more we had, the less land each revealed. We opted to go for fewer with bigger impacts instead of more frequent with smaller effects. When Tidefall happened, we wanted the game to change.”

    Endless Legend II Screenshot

    There are now three Tidefall events per game, and the length between them will vary depending on the map size. On average settings, it’s between 40 – 50 turns. But it’s not just about pacing — the broader impact of Tidefalls was also examined closely.

    “We even considered having the technology eras tied to Tidefall or having Tidefall be destructive (if the oceans came back, for example). But in the end, we decided to keep it solely as a reward because it wasn’t fun to invest in building an empire, just to have something outside of the player’s control set back their progress”.

    “The only remnant of that idea that remains is that all tiles adjacent to water (oceans, lakes, or rivers) get a food bonus. As Tidefall occurs, the oceans go away and the rivers dry up, removing these bonuses. So coastal or river cities accustomed to these bonuses for growth will lose them.”

    Endless Legend II Screenshot

    This feeds into two of the other pillars – Expand and Exploit. While the consequences of Tidefalls won’t be game breaking, they will add just enough tension to your campaign that you will need to plan around this eventually, typically by expanding outward and searching for new or better sources of growth for your empire.

    Turning the Tide

    As long as you respect the Tidefall, it can be planned for and some of the chaos that comes with the receding oceans can be managed. You’ll know, for example, that a coastal city at the start of a game won’t remain as such, and that far away island will be accessible eventually. There are other things to keep in mind as well:

    “On the Strategic map it’s good to keep an eye on areas of the fog of war that are golden,” says Paxton. “We call this the ‘Haze’ and it indicates that this is the edge of unrevealed lands that Tidefall has exposed, and where new dangers can come from.”

    Endless Legend II Screenshot

    “Also, if players have river cities that are counting on the food bonuses from the river, building a Dam will ensure that the river remains after Tidefall. Or you can build a Dam for a river that flows into your enemy’s lands and deprive them of their food bonuses without waiting for Tidefall to happen.”

    The world of Saiadha is waiting – there are other factions to subdue, and a mystery that lies in the heart of the world to unravel. Whichever way you choose to approach the game, make sure you prepare for Tidefall.

    Endless Legend 2 (Game Preview) releases for Xbox on PC, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate on September 22, 2025.


    ENDLESS™ Legend 2 (Game Preview)

    ENDLESS™ Legend 2 (Game Preview)

    Hooded Horse


    ☆☆☆☆☆


    ★★★★★


    This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game.

    ENDLESS™ Legend 2 is a fantasy strategy game where you lead wildly varied factions as they build grand empires and wage planet-spanning wars on an ever-evolving ocean world at the brink of extinction. Cataclysmic events have wrought havoc on the natural order, and the very world will change as time goes on revealing new opportunities for exploration and conquest to the bold and daring. Establish expansive cities to spread your influence and strengthen your economy, raise armies and command troops in turn-based tactical battles to overcome your enemies by force, and push forth into the unknown to uncover the dark secrets that lie at the planet’s core.

    LEAD DISPARATE FACTIONS
    Whether you command righteous warriors descended from the stars, cursed knights seeking reprieve from their misfortune, or hive-minded beasts that know only how to fight, feed, and propagate, ENDLESS™ Legend 2 features vastly different factions each driven by their own philosophies, histories, capabilities, and narratives. Each of the factions have unique traits that set them apart from one another whether on the battlefield, in matters of commerce, with regards to empire-building, or in diplomatic affairs – it is up to you to adapt to their strengths and weaknesses and build strategies and distinct playstyles.

    – The choice of faction will influence every aspect of the game. Will you prefer to benefit from a constant state of fighting, untethered by the need to justify your wars, spawning additional warriors with each victorious battle to grow endlessly in strength? Will you choose to benefit from cohabitation and cooperation, spreading tendrils of influence throughout the world to build a network of allies, leveraging relationships with the minor factions of the planet to further enrich your empire? Or will you lead a people who feed upon their own kind for sustenance, taking advantage of a unique economy free from the needs of mere mortals? Learn what makes each faction distinct and use it to your advantage whether you’re leading them, or looking to destroy them.
    – Military doctrine varies greatly between the factions, providing unique opportunities for a capable commander to gain an advantage over their foe, even when out of combat. Build massive fortifications to defend cities and establish connections to powerful weapon and support systems waiting in orbit as the martial Kin of Sheredyn. Invest in the spread of coral so the spiritualist Aspects are able to support themselves outside of friendly territory. Dot the land with nests and burrows to quickly traverse vast distances and ambush enemies from beneath as the Necrophage hive.
    – Either auto-resolve combat or take direct control of individual units within your armies when battle begins, using the surrounding terrain to your advantage as you seek out chokepoints, cover, and the high ground. Apart from having faction-specific units, traits, weapons, and attributes, each faction also features special battlefield abilities that can turn the tide of battle if properly utilized. Where one faction might work best with a patient commander, able to meticulously maneuver troops to secure powerful adjacency bonuses, another might rely on force of numbers and overwhelming strength.
    – Recruit heroes and watch them grow over time as they gain new traits to bolster their abilities, build relationships that provide them with various boons, and acquire equipment useful both in and out of battle. Powerful commanders, properly trained and armed, can turn the tide of entire wars when wisely utilized.

    REIGN IN AN EVOLVING WORLD
    Empires will rise and fall based on their ability to adapt to a changing world. Starting from a single humble city, expand according to your faction’s unique strengths and limitations while adapting to the periodic monsoons and tidefalls. Build districts around your cities’ central structures, exploit strategic and luxury resources littered around the world, and develop your technological capabilities and industrial might.

    – Cataclysmic tidefalls will expose new opportunities and threats as the oceans recede to unveil new land ripe for expansion. While your existing territory will remain unscathed, the newly revealed terrain from the retreating oceans will open up new avenues of approach for you and your enemies, alongside new resources to exploit and new anomalies to explore. While this can fundamentally change the strategic value of various locations as time goes on, a wise leader will plan for the inevitable – will you prepare to expand into new lands as soon as a tidefall occurs, or focus on shoring up your defenses where you anticipate new landbridges to appear?
    – Plan the development of your cities to focus on population growth, industrialization, and commerce, or prioritize their contribution to the sciences, your empire’s influence, and your military might – the choice is yours based on the needs of your burgeoning empire. Establish districts that provide fortifications or further the production of various resources, take advantage of adjacency and terrain bonuses, and pursue technological advancements that allow you to upgrade established districts or unlock entirely new options. Will you patiently seek out ideal locations to establish long-term economic hubs and military strongholds, or will you spread rapidly to secure new lands and increased productivity ahead of your enemies?
    – The lands around you are teeming with both opportunity and danger alike. Crush the weaker minor factions littered around the world to pillage their resources, or instead cultivate friendly relations and have them join your growing empire, incorporating their distinctive units and heroes to further strengthen your people. Explore ancient ruins and strange anomalies, braving the dangers of the unknown to enrich your lands and gain powerful artifacts to wield against your enemies.

    WRITE YOUR OWN LEGEND
    A deep mystery lies buried beneath the surface of this once-tranquil ocean world, where an ancient power stirs in the darkness. Gain dominion over the planet through violent conquest, seek victory through diplomatic and technological advancements, pursue quests and tackle events that can alter the course of a campaign, or empower your sworn heroes to unveil the story of your people – the choice is yours.

    Will you be a ruthless conqueror or a cunning builder? A cultivated diplomat or a flesh-eating beast? Will you bring harmony back to the planet, seeking out lost legends and heroes, or will you defy the fate that drives your faction and carve a legend of your own?

    Full details on the latest status of the game, how you can give feedback and report issues can be found at https://discord.gg/amplitude.

    Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor

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  • Play Like A Superstar in EA Sports NHL 26 with the EA Play 10-Hour Trial – Xbox Wire

    Summary

    • The EA Sports NHL 26 10-hour EA Play early access trial is available on Xbox Series X|S.
    • NHL Edge data powers how your favorite superstars think, move, and play in true-to-life fashion.
    • Score 3,000 WOC Coins and Season Pass XP Multiplier Tokens, plus recurring rewards.

    Game Pass Ultimate members can now take to the ice for up to 10 hours in EA Sports NHL 26. If they decide to buy, their progress carries over to the full game, so they can get ready for the next match.

    Members can save 10% off EA digital purchases, including the full version of the game and NHL Points. Plus, score in-game rewards, including 3,000 WOC Coins and Season Pass XP Multiplier Tokens. It’s time to show out and tell the world to check my game.

    Ice-Q 2.0 powered by NHL Edge

    Think, move, and play like your favorite superstars. By informing player Attributes, Tendencies, and with the all-new Goalie Crease Control System, NHL Edge data brings a deeper level of authenticity to Chel.

    NHL Visual Package

    Enjoy a litany of visual updates, including the addition of the Delta Center as a playable arena, all-new net mesh behavior, neck guards for players, and a dynamic new menu screen. From Dynamic Cinematic Lighting that turns all preplays and off-play camera moments into a thing of beauty, to a font update for increased legibility, there are a ton of new updates to Chel’s overall visual package.

    Be A Pro

    The revamped Be A Pro mode lets you live your hockey journey from rookie to superstar with fresh storylines, characters, challenges, and cutscenes. Play your way from World Juniors to the draft. Experience the emotions of your first pro game: the highs of being a human highlight reel, getting grilled at post-game pressers for a lingering dry spell — and if that keeps up, having to work your way back to the big league from the minors.

    The EA Sports NHL 26 10-hour EA Play trial is available on Xbox Series X|S. Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See EA Play Terms for details.

    Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

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