Players are delving into the depths of Xbox Game Pass following the grand unveiling of the new Xbox Game Pass Standard tier by the illustrious company. Alas, their exploration has unveiled a startling revelation – a number of esteemed titles are conspicuously absent, including those that once graced the service prior to Xbox’s transition to its novel payment model.
In a majestic proclamation on September 10, Xbox expounded upon this momentous shift, elucidating their grand Game Pass stratagems in a manner both concise and resplendent. Should one crave naught but the camaraderie of multiplayer on their Xbox, Game Pass Core shall suffice. Should the desire for PC gaming stir within, PC Game Pass beckons. And lo, Game Pass Standard, a nebulous tier cloaked in quandary when first announced in the bygone days of July, is tailored for those seeking to elevate their Xbox console gaming experience whilst prizing value above all. Priced at $15 monthly, it stands in stark contrast to Ultimate’s recent rise to $20 (from $17).
Embarking upon this new chapter in the saga of Xbox Game Pass, users have encountered an overhauled online archive, their curiosity leading them to discover the notable omissions within Standard (as revealed by Kotaku). By venturing to the hallowed Xbox website, one may peruse the games curated by membership type. Opting for Game Pass Standard unveils a gamut of 370 games currently, a notable divergence from Ultimate’s opulent offering of 508.
As foretold, only the exalted Ultimate tier shall bask in the glory of day-one launches, as decreed by Xbox. Nevertheless, a humble Xbox emissary confirmed to Moyens I/O that stalwart devotees of Game Pass for Console shall partake in these gaming feasts if their subscriptions remain unwavering. Regrettably, Standard is bereft of sundry first-party titles already adrift in the digital ether. Notable absences include recent gems such as Starfield, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Diablo 4, Forza Motorsport, Valorant, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2. Yet fear not, for some first-party treasures endure within Standard’s vaults, such as Minecraft and its progeny, Pentiment, Prey, the Dishonored saga, and the enigmatic Psychonauts odyssey.
However, the realm of third-party titles, bestowed upon the service in recent moons, remains beyond reach: Age of Mythology: Retold, Still Wakes the Deep, Star Trucker, and Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, to name but a few. A compendium of these absent titles may be found upon the revered Xbox subreddit, though alas, it is an incomplete tome.
The enigmatic mists surrounding the arrival of day-one launches upon Standard linger, as Xbox has not deigned to illuminate this path. A cryptic murmur suggests they may grace Standard “up to 12 months late or more.” Beyond this veil of uncertainty, a crucial fact emerges: cloud gaming is a privilege reserved solely for denizens of the Ultimate tier.
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