Xbox Game Pass subscribers have plenty to celebrate as the service rolls out four intriguing titles this month, spanning everything from pulse-pounding action to thoughtful strategy. Three of these games were once exclusive to the Ultimate tier, but now they’re available to all subscribers, broadening the horizons for casual players and hardcore fans alike. On top of that, there are already hints of more exciting day-one releases, and a handful of beloved favorites are set to depart soon. Let’s dive into the details, unpack what makes each game special, and map out the best way to tackle both the new arrivals and the titles on their way out the door.

A Quartet of New Games Lands on Game Pass

Late April saw Xbox add four titles that cater to distinct tastes. Two action-oriented adventures, a turn-based strategy gem, and a tongue-in-cheek fighting game join the library, ensuring there’s something for every mood.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)

For longtime ‘Z’ fans, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is an absolute must-play. This vibrant fighter-RPG puts you in the shoes of a customizable avatar, scrambling to fix anomalies in the Dragon Ball timeline. Whether zipping through open-world cityscapes, battling iconic villains like Frieza and Cell, or duking it out with other players online, Xenoverse 2 leans into fan service without ever feeling derivative. Character creation is deep enough to let you craft a Saiyan with your dream power set—Ki blasts, devastating melee combos, and flashy ultimate moves all feel weighty and responsive. Even after years on the market, the multiplayer community hums with life, thanks to regular balance patches and DLC that keep the roster fresh. If you’re an Ultimate subscriber, now’s the time to dive back in (or discover it for the first time).

Dungeons of Hinterberg (Xbox Game Pass Standard)

Originally a day-one release on Game Pass Ultimate, Dungeons of Hinterberg has quietly carved out a devoted following for its blend of atmospheric exploration and brutal combat. At first glance, Hinterberg’s cartoony visuals might suggest a lighthearted romp; in practice, it’s an action RPG that demands respect. You’ll hack and slash through mutated monsters, scavenge resources to upgrade your gear, and piece together the mystery behind the eponymous town’s descent into madness. Each run feels distinct, thanks to procedural dungeons that shift layout, enemies, and environmental hazards. It’s a perfect palate cleanser between sprawling open-world epics—bite-sized, challenging, and immensely rewarding when you finally conquer that miniboss gauntlet. Now that it’s moved down to the Standard tier, any subscriber can experience Hinterberg’s dark charms without upgrading their membership.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn (Xbox Game Pass Standard)

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn mixes musket-packing action with a dash of soul-like difficulty. You play Nor Vanek, the lone survivor of an assault on her war-torn homeland. Armed with a combination of flintlock pistols, a trusty dagger, and spiritual companions called “spirits,” Nor navigates a world suffused with magical energy—and monstrous adversaries. Combat is tactical: you’ll time your shots, dodge enemy strikes, and leverage elemental powers to turn the tide of battle. Between skirmishes, players forage for crafting materials, unlock new abilities, and piece together the story of a land teetering between salvation and ruin. Some encounters can be punishing, but each triumph feels hard-earned. Previously gated behind the Ultimate tier, Flintlock now opens its gates to standard subscribers looking for a challenge beyond the usual hack-and-slash fare.

Metal Slug Tactics (Xbox Game Pass Standard)

Longtime metal-sluggers rejoice: the beloved arcade run-and-gun franchise has reinvented itself as a turn-based tactics experience. Metal Slug Tactics retains the series’ tongue-in-cheek humor, its hand-drawn sprite art, and those signature tank-toped heroes, but the action unfolds on hex grids instead of side-scrolling screens. You’ll maneuver squads of soldiers, upgrade their weapons, and time your grenades with the precision of a battlefield general. The campaign skews lighter in difficulty than some hardcore tactics titles, but it’s no slouch when it comes to strategy. Enemy placement, environmental hazards, and class synergies all play a role in who survives each skirmish. Between missions, you upgrade your base and equip your soldiers with unlockable gear. Fans of the classic shooters will appreciate the cameos and call-back jokes littered throughout, while turn-based veterans will find a solid, approachable entry point into the franchise. Now that it’s part of the Standard catalog, both old and new fans can rally their squads without an upgrade.

Reflecting on April’s Wins—and What May Holds

Looking back, April was a standout month for Game Pass. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II delivered blockbuster multiplayer, Anno 1800 brought city-builder enthusiasts back to the 19th century, and Dredge reeled in players with its eerie deep-sea fishing sim. Those additions showcased the service’s range: blockbuster racers, niche simulators, and AAA shooters all arriving within weeks of one another. With the latest four games just rolled out, May is shaping up to be equally eclectic.

Upcoming Day-One Arrivals

Subscribers don’t have long to wait for more day-one treats. Mark May 16 on your calendar: Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo takes inspiration from Paper Mario’s turn-based puzzles and Grim Fandango’s art style to craft a whimsical journey through the afterlife—reimagined through a Latin American lens. Early previews highlight its hand-painted backgrounds, dance-inspired combat mechanics, and storytelling that weaves folklore into every conversation. It’s one of those sleeper hits that could steal the spotlight once it launches.

The real headliner, though, is DOOM: The Dark Ages. Bethesda’s surprise reveal promises a medieval spin on the demon-slaying formula that made the reboot a smash in 2016. Think heavy broadswords imbued with arcane energy, cross-sectional shields that deflect fireballs, and of course, the series’ trademark “push forward or die” pacing. Early trailers tease sprawling castle corridors overrun with hellish monstrosities—plus a prequel narrative that fills in some of the lore between Doom 2016 and the classic ’90s titles. Bethesda confirmed it will hit Game Pass on day one, so subscribers can slash through demons without spending an extra cent.

Counting Down the Departures

It’s not all new arrivals, though. If you’ve been eyeing some of the service’s older exclusives, you’ve got until May 15 to dive in. Eight titles are scheduled to vanish, spanning genres from co-op puzzlers to dinosaur park management.

• Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons – A narrative-driven puzzle adventure with a heart-wrenching story told without dialogue.
• Chants of Sennaar – A cerebral language-deciphering puzzle game that had critics raving about its originality.
• Dune: Spice Wars – A real-time strategy epic set on Arrakis, blending base building, resource warfare, and political intrigue.
• Hauntii – A spooky first-person thriller that explores liminal spaces and childhood fears.
• Jurassic World Evolution 2 – Build, manage, and occasionally evacuate your dinosaur theme park.
• Little Kitty, Big City – A delightfully cute sandbox adventure where you play as an intrepid cat exploring urban streets.
• Planet of Lana – A side-scrolling puzzle platformer with stunning visuals and an emotionally resonant story.
• The Big Con – A cooperative caper about pulling off cons in the ’90s, complete with colorful characters and comedic heists.

Most of these can be completed in under ten hours, making now the perfect time to queue them up—especially if you’ve been holding off for a rainy weekend. Just don’t sleep on them: once the clock strikes midnight on May 15, they’ll disappear, and who knows if (or when) they’ll return.

How to Make the Most of Your Game Pass Subscription

With rotating games coming and going, it can be easy to lose track of what’s new, what’s leaving, and what you still haven’t tried. Here are a few tips to stay on top of your Game Pass library:

1. Set Calendar Alerts
   Create reminders for big launch dates—like Kulebra’s May 16 debut—or the final day to finish a game before it’s delisted. Most calendar apps let you set alerts a week or a day in advance so you’re not caught off-guard.
2. Follow Xbox Insider Channels
   Whether it’s the official Xbox Wire blog or the Game Pass Twitter account, these channels keep you posted on surprise drop announcements, Branch preview builds for PC, and behind-the-scenes dev interviews.
3. Organize Your Queue
   Use the “Play Later” feature in the Xbox interface to build a backlog you can revisit anytime. Divide it into categories—“To Try,” “To Finish,” and “Demos/Tweaks”—so you always know where you left off.
4. Mix It Up
   Don’t feel pressured to blitz through one huge open-world title after another. Alternate long campaigns with shorter indies to keep things fresh. One night, put on your co-op headset for The Big Con; the next, buckle in for a tense, language-puzzle session in Chants of Sennaar.
5. Check Reviews—but Take Them with a Grain of Salt
   Critical scores can guide you, but they don’t replace personal taste. Dungeons of Hinterberg might boast an 81 average on Looader, but if you thrive on punishing combat and tight progression loops, it could easily be a 90 in your book.

Related

Elden Ring’s Switch 2 Edition Adds Two Unique Classes

Elden Ring expands with new classes and Switch 2 release.

Looking Beyond May: The Future of Game Pass

Game Pass has become Microsoft’s crown jewel in the console wars, and they’re not slowing down. Beyond the big Bethesda titles, expect more exclusive day-one releases as Microsoft irons out its Activision acquisition. Rumors swirl about a new Fable game hitting the service day one, and whispers persist of an Elden Ring-style revamp of Halo in the pipeline. Whether or not those all come to pass, the service’s trajectory is clear: deliver high-profile exclusives alongside a rotating cavalcade of indies, AA experiments, and niche masterpieces.

For subscribers, the secret isn’t just in chasing the hype train—it’s in exploring the unexpected. While everyone might queue DOOM and the next Halo spin-off, there’s life beyond the blockbusters. Spend a night deciphering an ancient script in Chants of Sennaar, rally your pals for a 90s-style con in The Big Con, or build your dream dino sanctuary in Jurassic World Evolution 2 before it’s gone.

At the end of the day, Game Pass isn’t just a subscription; it’s an invitation to sample a broader buffet of interactive art. So grab your controller, fire up your console, and let curiosity be your guide. There’s a world of games waiting—old favorites and brand-new surprises alike—and with Xbox Game Pass, you never know what adventure is a download away.