Some weeks are all about comfort gaming. Others demand something stranger, louder, or more chaotic. This week’s Xbox Game Pass standouts manage to strike that rare balance: equal parts cozy, cinematic, nostalgic, and unhinged. Whether a player is craving deep lore, unpredictable co-op hijinks, or good old-fashioned espionage, there’s something here that will please every playstyle.
From unhinged puppets to bank-robbing root vegetables, the titles worth checking out this week take big swings and land them with style. Each one either reinvents a classic formula or distills chaos into an unexpectedly refined experience. With the sheer range of genres and tones on display thanks to Xbox Game Pass’ offerings, the only hard part will be choosing where to start.
New Xbox Game Pass Game is a Big Hit
A newly-added Xbox Game Pass game is proving to be a big hit among users of the subscription service.
My Friendly Neighborhood
Mr. Rogers lied: it’s not always a beautiful day in the neighborhood. And in My Friendly Neighborhood, most players will likely want to escape it as soon as possible. This horror game follows the emerging trend of mascot horror in gaming, validating the fears of everyone who finds puppets utterly creepy. The gameplay is characterized by exploration, puzzle-solving, and survival elements, all of which are intensified by the pervasive threat posed by these cursed marionettes.
This 2023 indie survival horror follows Gordon, a repairman who genuinely doesn’t know what horrors await. When the production studio behind a beloved puppet show unexpectedly decides to start broadcasting The Friendly Neighborhood after shutting down, it catches the world by surprise. Interest in the show had dwindled over the years, and its characters had simply become nothing more than cherished memories for viewers.
And as TV sets across the globe flicker for a moment before the familiar puppets return for a surprise encore, folks are horrified to find that their favorite puppets have become the stuff of nightmares. My Friendly Neighborhood recently dropped on Game Pass on July 17, allowing players looking for a new game to add to their backlog to enter this twisted world with fresh eyes.
My Friendly Neighborhood
- Released
- July 18, 2023
- Developer(s)
- John Szymanski, Evan Szymanski
WHERE TO PLAY
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
With the Xbox Game Pass day-one release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 a few months ago, it’s impossible to ignore the pull of this major franchise’s return to its roots. This isn’t just another military shooter; it’s a bold reimagining of espionage-era paranoia. It features a full single-player campaign, revamped movement mechanics, and even a story-driven Zombies mode that leans into mystery rather than just mayhem. Whether a player is returning to the series or trying it for the first time, this entry makes a strong case for jumping in now.
Set in the early 1990s during Operation Desert Storm, Black Ops 6 plunges players into a tense political climate defined by deception and betrayal. After being burned by the very government they served, a rogue team of operatives must go off the grid to uncover a dangerous conspiracy. This is spy thriller storytelling at its biggest and most bombastic with mind games, double agents, and global chaos all par for the course. Black Ops 6 stands as one of the best Call of Duty titles in recent memory, and a welcome addition to the franchise’s legacy.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- October 25, 2024
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Suggestive Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Treyarch, Raven Software
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Engine
- IW 9.0
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes - PlayStation, Xbox, PC
- Cross Save
- Yes - PlayStation, Xbox, PC
- Prequel(s)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: World at War
- Franchise
- Call of Duty
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical or Horizontal
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- October 25, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- October 25, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- October 25, 2024
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
- How Long To Beat
- 8 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 216 GB (October 2024)
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2: Enhanced Edition
If Baldur’s Gate 3 has taken over a player’s brain, the Enhanced Editions of Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2 are the perfect way for them to trace its narrative bloodline. These classic BioWare RPGs laid the groundwork for the rich lore, tactical combat, and party dynamics that made Baldur’s Gate 3 such a smash hit. Bundled with the Siege of Dragonspear expansion and polished for modern systems, this collection gives players an abundance of story-driven gameplay, now included with a Game Pass membership.
The saga begins with Baldur’s Gate, where a custom Bhaalspawn finds themselves thrust into danger after a deadly ambush at Candlekeep. From there, players are tasked to piece together a sprawling conspiracy that threatens the Sword Coast. The journey deepens in Baldur’s Gate 2, where imprisonment, soul-stealing, and one very intense wizard named Jon Irenicus set the stage for a darker, more personal epic that will push BG1’s protagonist to their limit. Whether a player is a lore completionist or just wants some more time with characters like Minsc and Boo, this downloadable duo is essential D&D gaming at its peak.
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Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition
Display card tags widget Display card system widgetDisplay card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widgetSystems
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start- Released
- November 28, 2012
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Overhaul Games
- Publisher(s)
- Atari
Display card media widget endWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONDIGITALGather Your Party
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition is a story-driven 90s RPG set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons.
Customize your hero, recruit a party of brave allies, and explore the Sword Coast in your search for adventure, profit… and the truth.
75+ Hours of Adventure
The Enhanced Edition contains over 75 hours of gameplay, including the original campaign, the classic Sword Coast expansion, plus brand new challenges in the Black Pits arena!
Classic Campaign: The Original Baldur’s Gate Adventure
Expansion: Tales of the Sword Coast expansion
New Challenges: The Black Pits, arena style battles
New Difficulty Setting: Story Mode allows players to focus on story and exploration, rather than combat and survival
Paid DLC Expansion Available: Siege of Dragonspear is a brand new chapter in the Baldur's Gate saga!- Genre(s)
- RPG
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Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
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DIGITALPHYSICALForced to leave your home under mysterious circumstances, you find yourself drawn into a conflict that has the Sword Coast on the brink of war. Soon you discover there are other forces at work, far more sinister than you could ever imagine...
Since its original release in 1998, Baldur’s Gate has set the standard for Dungeons & Dragons computer roleplaying games. Customize your hero, recruit a party of brave allies, and explore the Sword Coast in your search for adventure, profit… and the truth.- Genre(s)
- RPG
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Turnip Boy Robs a Bank
When it comes to hidden indie gems on Xbox Game Pass, gamers can look no further than Turnip Boy Robs a Bank. This action-adventure game with roguelike elements combines the hilarity of lighthearted action with the narrative dark cloud of committing felonies, making this title perfect for players who want to stray off the marked path. Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is leaving Game Pass on July 31, so players seeking a digital criminal fix with a dose of cuteness should jump on this title sooner rather than later.
The sequel to Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion, Turnip Boy is ready to get into some more risky business. Turnip Boy joins the Pickled Gang and decides that it's high time to rob a bank for fun. Players must attempt to get the most money out of heists as possible within three minutes. After that point, law enforcement arrives, and Turnip Boy must avoid dying to get the biggest payout possible. For fans of this kind of mischief, it’s worth noting that Turnip Boy is getting a mail-stealing spin-off.
Turnip Boy Robs a Bank
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 75%
- Released
- January 18, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Mild Blood, Mild Language, Mild Violence
- Developer(s)
- Snoozy Kazoo
- Publisher(s)
- Graffiti Games
- Engine
- GameMaker
WHERE TO PLAY
Turnip Boy is ready to commit more felonies in this comedic action-adventure game with roguelite elements. This time the career criminal is teaming up with the fearsome Pickled Gang to plan and execute the weirdest heist of all time! Shake down hostages, steal precious valuables, and explore the deep, dark depths and history of the Botanical Bank.
To pull off the perfect heist, you’ll need to purchase an array of dangerous and wacky tools from the dark web, including a diamond pickaxe, C4, and… a cardboard box? However, bank robbing isn’t easy, so be prepared for intense shootouts with security guards, the fuzz, elite swat teams and more!
A thrilling single-player adventure full of bank robbing, dark web browsing, and fuzz fighting. Roguelite elements to turnip the action. A big ol’ bank to explore and loot. An array of wacky weapons.
Take on whoever the bank throws at you in intense shootouts, from security guards to elite veggie swat teams! A large cast of quirky food-based characters, including some familiar faces and new citizens with their own stories and problems.
Earn collectable hats to wear and new banger tracks to blast. Discover a deeper history of Turnip Boy’s world and how it became what it is.