Xbox Game Pass free hidden gems you have to check out

Xbox Game Pass is amazing value for money. There are a ludicrous number of games available to play when you subscribe and it can be overwhelming figuring out what deserves some screen time. Of course, there are some bangers on there, but what about the sleeper hits?

Rollerdrome is a bit of sleeper hit and it should be played by all

With such a vast collection of games, Xbox Game Pass manages to deliver something for everyone. The big games are there - Starfield, Forza Motorsport, Lies of P - but how do you know what’s worth your precious time on Xbox Game Pass?

Chicory

Chicory

This is a beautiful game in so many ways. The story is lovely, the character design is charming, but above all, it’s the world and the way you interact with it. The central character of Chicory, a small dog you can name, is a painter and they must make an emotional journey to find the titular character. Along this journey, you’ll be asked to add colour to the world and paint pictures for a variety of wonderful characters. Using the paint you’ll unlock some very cool abilities for exploration, finding some unique puzzles to solve.

Deep Rock Galactic

Deep Rock

In Deep Rock Galactic you play as a space dwarf who can venture out into the depths of space visiting planets to do what dwarves do best, mining. Whether solo or in a team, your goal is to make as much money as possible by fulfilling job goals and harvesting valuable materials. Each planet visit is filled with aliens and gross creatures and your mining expedition has seemingly irked them. This causes a lot of combat to unfold, but thankfully your dwarf has a special set of weaponry and equipment, all chosen by their class. There are some very simple RPG elements and new updates every few months, both of which keep the game fresh.

Rollerdrome

Rollerdrome

“The year is 2030. In a world where corporations rule and the lines between reality and performance are blurred, the public are kept distracted by the violence and excess of a brutal new blood sport — Rollerdrome.” This game is an action-packed blast. Who thought that combining rollerskating and ballistic weaponry would be a dream combo? You can speed through arenas, up vertical ramps, and perform a double backflip, all while spraying enemy skaters with bullets. With a unique graphical style made up of cel-shaded colourful visuals and a single-player campaign that tests your skills, you shouldn’t miss out on this.

Firewatch

Firewatch

This is one of the most beautiful games from the recent decade. It’s not just visually stunning, though the landscapes are breathtaking, but the message laced within the narrative is a wonderfully delicate tale about isolation and relationships. Firewatch is a cross between a narrative adventure and a walking simulator; you spend most of your time exploring the Wyoming wilderness talking on the radio to your supervisor Delilah, mostly discussing those deep and meaningful moments from life. Saying any more would spoil this beautiful tale, so put aside a few hours and play it by yourself.