The weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining brighter, and we have a long weekend of gaming on the horizon. Finding time to kick back and sink hours into a new favourite Xbox game isn’t always easy, but with an entire extra day (or two) of leisure time this Easter weekend, it’s a great time to explore everything Game Pass has to offer for the mere sum of just $1.
Though Sony’s new PS Plus Premium is ramping up the battle of the gaming subscriptions, Microsoft’s Game Pass remains the leader of the pack, with over $1,300 worth of new games added in 2022 alone. With a Game Pass subscription, you receive access to literally hundreds of titles, from triple-A titles like Halo Infinite, to cult indie games like What Remains of Edith Finch.
But, with so much choice, what should you play? Well, we have a few recommendations for you. Games which will perfectly match the tone of your long weekend. Games that make you think of the coming summer. Games that bring a smile to your face.
The four Game Pass games for you to play this Easter weekend are
- Forza Horizon 5
- Banjo-Kazooie
- Minecraft
- Sea of Thieves
Play on Game PassForza Horizon 5
If you’ve never played the Forza series before, you might think of this as ‘just another racing game’ but Forza Horizon 5 offers a comprehensive experience, and has a very positive ethos. In this game, you get to drive around a sunny, open-world recreation of Mexico. As you admire the beautiful world around you, the engine gently hums and the car radio plays uplifting music, creating a real sense road-trip nostalgia
It’s a really stunning game, and there’s so much to do. Whether you just want to explore the map and find secrets, race against other players, or even gather data on an active volcano, this is a wonderful game in which to lose yourself.
Play on Game PassBanjo-Kazooie
This 1998 Nintendo 64 platformer has aged really well and for anyone who was a gamer in the ‘90s, the familiarity of this tongue-in-cheek throwback makes it a welcome addition to a laid-back long weekend.
From sunny fields with ridiculous googly-eyed vegetables, to sandy beaches with shark infested waters, in many ways this is a game that perfectly captures the feeling of summer. It’s a game that’s not too challenging, but never feels like it’s too easy either, offering just the right level of difficulty.
With satisfying controls, hilarious writing, and cosy worlds just waiting to be explored, this is definitely something for you to play on Game Pass this Easter. Hey, there are also loads of eggs in it. How appropriate.
Play on Game PassMinecraft
Minecraft is a game which, we’re sure, needs no introduction, but if you’ve never played it before, that’s something you should change very soon. The Minecraft world is so satisfying just to exist in – gathering resources, building a house, and digging tunnels are all easy ways for you to spend hours and hours, with the game’s therapeutic soundtrack easing you into a complete sense of bliss.
Perhaps what’s great about Minecraft is that you don’t need to do anything, but you can do pretty much whatever you want. Want to sink hours into an incredibly elaborate palatial build? Go for it. Prefer to hone your survival skills on some of the best Minecraft survival servers? You can do just that, too.
Play on Game PassSea of Thieves
If you’re daydreaming of a beach trip but the weather’s still that little bit too chilly, you can live out the fantasy in Sea of Thieves. Though certainly not as open as Minecraft, this pirate simulator essentially lets you do whatever you want.
You can speak to a man in the pub and kick off a single player story campaign, grab a treasure map and go and find gold buried by other players, go after bounties on skeleton pirates, or even just sail out onto the horizon in search of adventure, Jack Sparrow style.
Whether you like playing alone, or with friends, or with strangers on the internet, Sea of Thieves will give you so much to do and it’s another world that’s a joy to exist in. From the sound of the sand under your pirate’s bare feet, to the gentle sloshing of the ocean waves, and the ambient sounds of a tropical island, you’ll soon find that there’s so much beauty in this game. As a game that’s best played in long sessions, Easter could be the ideal time to get started.
So, what do you say? How about you take one of these games for a spin? Go on, you’ve earned it. If you’ve never played any one of these titles before, we strongly recommend them and are sure that they’ll carve out a special place in your heart.
For an idea of everything that could be available to you, check out our guide on every Game Pass game. You also might be interested to know that you can get three years of Game Pass for $1.