Microsoft’sXbox Game Passhas had a tremendous 2021 that saw the release of a number of high profile day one releases hit the platform. This included everything from multiplatform, third-party games likeOutridersto Xbox-published titles like the recently releasedPsychonauts 2. Microsoft is looking to keep theXbox Game Passmomentum going strong to close out 2021, and it’s doing so with a triple threat of games scheduled to release about one month apart in October, November, and December.
RELATED:Xbox Game Pass Adds Four More Games Today
Back 4 Blood (October 12)
TheLeft 4 Deadgames were hugely popular when they first released, but the franchise has been dormant for well over a decade now with no sign of life.OriginalLeft 4 Deaddeveloper Turtle Rock Studiosis taking it upon itself to fill theLeft 4 Dead-shaped void in everyone’s life withBack 4 Blood, a co-op zombie shooter that is clearly a spiritual successor to theLeft 4 Deadfranchise, complete with special zombies, player-controlled monsters, and all kinds of over-the-top action.
Zombie-slaying fans had the chance to try theBack 4 Bloodbetaearlier this year, and while there were some issues, the general consensus seems to be the game the game is a faithful progression of theLeft 4 Deadformula. Those on the fence can try the game without paying full price thanks to Xbox Game Pass, asBack 4 Bloodis hitting Microsoft’s popular subscription service on the same day that it comes out.
Forza Horizon 5 (November 9)
If anyone is wondering why so many fans are excited forPlayground Games' take onFable, they just need to play theForza Horizongames to figure it out. With the Xbox console exclusiveForza Horizongames, Playground Games has consistently hit out of the park, delivering one critically-acclaimed open world racer after another. Next up isForza Horizon 5, which has potential to be the bestForza Horizongame yet.
Forza Horizon 5marks theHorizonseries' next-generation debut, taking players to a gorgeous open world Mexico.Forza Horizon 5is a visual stunner, especially on Xbox Series X, with gameplay videos showing that the game is going to be one of the most visually-impressive titles on Xbox when it comes out. What’s even better than getting to play a high-quality racing game is being able to do so without paying more than Xbox Game Pass subscription.
Halo Infinite (December 8)
Xbox’s biggest new release this holiday season isHalo Infinite, the latest installment in Microsoft’s flagship first-person shooter franchise. Originally slated for release alongside the Xbox Series X console itself last year, Microsoft made the tough call to delayHalo Infinite’s release date, with the game now set to launch on December 8 across PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Halo Infiniteis potentially a system-selling game for Xbox, as theHalobrand is one of the most recognizable in the entire industry.Halo Infiniteis looking to be the lastHalogame that fans will need for a long while, embracing a live service model that will see numerous seasons of new content released, expanding greatly on what’s made available to fans at launch.
WhenHalo Infinitedoes launch, it will be missing some important features that are expected to come in early 2022. Namely,Halo Infinite’s campaign will not have co-opat launch and the Forge mode won’t be available either. This is definitely disappointing news for those that enjoy those features inHalo, so it will be interesting to see how fans react when the game launches in December.
