We select titles that can cheer you up a lot these days closed by the coronavirus on Xbox One.
The confinement due to the coronavirus pandemic means that we are many hours at home, and that we have varied options to entertain ourselves in the form of video games. In addition to titles that can be found free and other discounted for the occasion, Xbox One and Windows 10 users have the option to review the extensive and successful catalog of Game Pass, the subscription service that has more than 100 games available, among them novelties first party, to enjoy with the minimum cost of authentic games. Adventures, action, simulators, races, indies … There is everything and quality.
At Meristation we wanted to select 10 games, but the list was short. We thought of 12 and the same thing happened to us. We tried to close it at 3pm and we remembered the Master Chief Collection. We could talk about 20 or 25 essentials, but finally we have left it in 16 games to play on Game Pass during confinement. All of them essential. Surely many will say that it is a classic list and with few surprises. We accept it. But it is a list of games you should have played before the end of the generation. Here we go.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unkwnown
It is one of the latest novelties that have been incorporated into Game Pass, and a pleasant surprise. Project Aces returned in a big way after a long silence, a previous installment that moved away from the spirit of the saga and trying to follow in the wake of the excellent, from the last generation, Ace Combat 6. We are facing a main epic and varied campaign, with effects climatological that surprisingly affect the control of the plane, a wide variety of machines to control and visually striking, capable of getting inside what it is to control one of these mechanical beasts. It is true that the multiplayer is weak and that the plot is losing interest in the long run, but the intensity of the campaign at a playable level more than meets the expectations. A good way to get to know the series, and highly recommended even if we don't have Virtual Reality missions on Xbox One.
Dead Cells
Dead Cells is one of those unusual indies, who elevate low-budget but highly talented games to the height of any major AAA production. A mixture of metroidvania with roguelite that has established itself as a safe bet whenever it is the moment you are going to play it. A masterful combat system, full of options and combinations, an exploration rich in secrets, detours and surprises. Spectacular audiovisual level for pixel art lovers and above all, very fun. In addition, it does not stop receiving content and updates. If you enter Dead Cells, yes, we warn that perhaps you no longer leave. Also on PC.
Devil May Cry 5
Without a doubt, one of the great surprises that the Game Pass has left us in recent times. Another impressive comeback of one of the great Capcom sagas with Itsuno at the helm to make the fifth installment of the series starring Dante and company, surely the best in the series with Devil May Cry 3. The technical deployment of the RE Engine is a real step forward for hack and slash. The style that characters and enemies exude, pure obscenity. And playably, a delight with three different styles between Nero, Dante and V, with a brand replayability of the house and with a rhythm of the game that is not for other purposes than: action, action and action. A genius of the genre.
DOOM
Tireless, direct and brutal. DOOM became our game of the year in 2016 and it did it on its own merits: the reboot of one of the reference sagas in the FPS returned in style, offering an excel level design in which each jump, movement and turn was measured to the millimeter to be able to kill demons in 360 degree format. A spectacular game, one of those that leaves you with your tongue out and is one of the great references in the Game Pass. A good excuse to delve into the rebirth of the saga and, if you like it, that you are going to love it, look towards Eternal that has just gone on sale.
Forza Horizon 4
One can speak, without fear of being wrong, of Forza Horizon 4 as the best first party game from Microsoft. A title that transcends the concept of driving, which is made by and for the show. Where it is wonderful to get lost, find events and secrets and overcome them for the simple fact of passing by. A technical portent, varied and full of content. Delicious gameplay across dozens and dozens of vehicles. The show at its best. Horizon long ago managed to impact even more than the main and numbered saga, and that is not demerit of the Forza simulation branch, but an enormous merit of this series that is exceeded in proposals and options with each release that comes out. A game worthwhile whether you like driving or not. Also on PC.
Gears 5
He was one of the most anticipated for everything that had been generated around Kait, a character who grew surprisingly during the events of the fourth numbered installment and absolute protagonist of this new era. And the game does not disappoint: made-in-Gear shootings with news on almost all fronts, new enemies and a more tactical touch system thanks to Jack. A visually stunning game and multiplayer that seeks to follow in the wake of the successful Gears of War 4. Yes, it has weaknesses during the campaign and some decisions are not at the level of the rest, but it is an ideal delivery to enjoy both alone and in company . Also on PC.
Halo: Reach
Crown jewel. The Master Chief Collection is an essential part of the Game Pass, but here we are going to focus on the last one to arrive, the farewell in style of Bungie. A game that embraced a closer and more emotional narrative than in Halo 3, and that playably is simply the apex of the saga. The combat situations, the variety of vehicles and an enemy AI from another level – we still expect better enemies than the Reach Elite – make it a masterpiece that time has kept it on top of. And with a first-order cooperative. Simply unique. Also on PC.
Hollow Knight: Empty Heart Edition
Excellent 2D metroidvania games are coming out, but all – or almost – end up comparing themselves to Hollow Knight. There must be a reason. Its structure, the devilish difficulty and those Souls touches in two dimensions make it the benchmark to follow. A long video game, with dozens of hours, secrets and content beyond the main plot, with updates like the Empty Heart and with a lot of personality. It does not give the player facilities, but it rewards you every time you manage to overcome his challenges. One of the jewels that these last years of video games leave us. Also on PC without Empty Heart.
Kingdom Hearts III
It has been done praying, but Kingdom Hearts III finally arrived last year as one of the most anticipated. Surely the game has not reached the desired levels of others in the saga, such as the second installment at the time, but the incredible finish that the Disney worlds leave before us can be a good excuse to enjoy it with the smallest of the house . Simpler in combat than desired and with an argument that does not unravel as much as we would like, but pure audiovisual beauty to at least give a touch to one of the flashy names in the catalog.
Ninja gaiden 2
Action games and the subgenre known as hack and slash would not be what it is without the contribution of the first two installments of Ninja Gaiden, when Team Ninja and Itagaki went to one. The sequel does not have the impact of the original Xbox nor was it so cutting edge on a technological level, but it was a real playable wonder: each weapon looked like a character from a different fighting game, with dozens of combos and possibilities, to which to add the system of parry and obliterations that kept you alert. If you were right, you turned around; if you failed they would beat you up. And if you didn't obliterate, they could catch you in the middle of the bodies lying on the ground and kill you. Challenging, spectacular and with tall bosses, it comes with visual improvements that make it even better to play today. And remember, unless you do not have access to this installment, reject myths (Sigma).
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
It has been made to wait longer than expected, but the sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest has just arrived and also allows us to enjoy it from the first day on Game Pass. A game that continues to be a visual and sound wonder, with a story that has an impact from the first moment and with new features in gameplay that are appreciated. The focus more in combat, more direct and with simply memorable final bosses compensate that at the platform level it does not have the peaks of the first delivery. New skills, dungeons, nicely spun secondary system and a beautiful world to get lost in. One of the best of 2020. Also on PC.
Sea of thieves
When he came out, the reception was quite mixed. But Rare wanted to continue giving him opportunities and news and today, Game Pass is synonymous with Sea of Thieves. An ideal game to lose yourself sailing the seas alone or with friends while we solve several of the new adventures that have been added this past year. Making sense of the tasks to be performed and the rewards has been one of the differential points regarding their departure, as well as the events that we are encountering. Nothing is more fun than being a pirate with friends. It is said. Also on PC.
The Outer Worlds
Obsidian is preparing a game that becomes the spiritual successor to Fallout New Vegas. The game turns out to be a hit of 2019, nominated for Game of the Year and winning awards everywhere. And that same year Microsoft had announced the purchase of Obsidian. Outcome? That one of the great games from a few months ago is available from the first day on Game Pass. Deep, with a good balance in history, dialogues and progression system and with a new world that leaves no one indifferent. The Outer Worlds is one of the best RPGs in time and is, therefore, one of the greats in the catalog.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
There is no doubt that The Witcher 3 is one of the great works that this generation leaves us. A title that grew enormously compared to the second part, presenting a gigantic open world, full of events, characters and missions. Secondary schools that had a better level of work and development than many other main games, and a plot that caught us from the first moment. We have never felt so close to being the Warlock as in this game, and time does not pass for one of the milestones that the last decade leaves us.
Valkyria Chronicles (PC)
One of SEGA's great hidden gems, which came out on Playstation 3 at the time and became a favorite with many. After some delivery without leaving Japan, the company decided to bet on recovering the saga in the west, with Valkyria Chronicles 4 and with the remaster of the first part. A simply great turn-based strategy game, with a very well told story, charismatic characters and a visual style that leaves you turned on from the first moment. You can't have a PC Game Pass without giving this title a try. You will head straight for the fourth installment once you finish it.
Yakuza 0
And we close our Game Pass essentials with Yakuza 0, the game that was a prequel to the first Yakuza and that has become one of the best in the series. Each one has their favorite, but this installment has everything we want: a bigger world, full of more and better mini-games, storylines and subplots that are brand of the house and a polished and improved combat system compared to the originals. Kiwami is surely the best to get into the saga first, but this is the most complete and one of the ones that cannot be missing from your game list. If you end up in the arms of the saga, you end up completing it all. Also on PC.
