As 2025 kicks off, Xbox Game Pass is already delivering fresh gaming experiences to subscribers. While blockbuster titles like Avowed and South of Midnight are still on the horizon, Microsoft has started the year strong by reintroducing standout indie hits and adding compelling survival games to the Game Pass Standard tier on consoles. If you’re searching for something to dive into this weekend, here are a few must-play recommendations.
Road 96: A Journey of Choices and Survival
Road 96 is a narrative-driven adventure set in the authoritarian regime of Petria, where teenagers risk everything to escape across the border. Blending the choice-based storytelling of Telltale-style games with a roguelike format, Road 96 ensures every playthrough feels unique. You’ll guide a new teenager each time, making critical decisions that can lead to freedom—or failure. Its unpredictable nature and poignant themes make it one of the most compelling choice-driven games on Xbox Game Pass.
With its timely narrative about resilience and hope, Road 96 is a perfect way to start the year. The game is now available on PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard, and Game Pass Ultimate. For those on other platforms, it’s also accessible via PlayStation Plus Extra for PS4 and PS5 and is available on Nintendo Switch.
Carrion: A Gruesome Reverse-Horror Adventure
For fans of horror with a twist, Carrion by Phobia Game Studios and Devolver Digital flips the genre on its head. Instead of playing as the human trying to survive, you control the monstrous creature wreaking havoc. As this grotesque mass, you’ll grow more powerful, tearing through enemies and navigating a 2D Metroidvania-inspired world.
Cleverly subverting expectations, Carrion delivers a fresh take on classic gaming tropes. Whether you’re a fan of horror or inventive gameplay, it’s worth a playthrough. Available on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Standard, and PC Game Pass, Carrion is also part of the PS Plus Extra subscription for PS4 and PS5 and playable on Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
My Time at Sandrock: Build, Farm, and Thrive
If games like Stardew Valley or Fields of Mistira have captured your attention, My Time at Sandrock will feel right at home. This ambitious 3D open-world game invites players to restore a desert town by gathering resources, farming, constructing buildings, and combating threats. Its immersive world and blend of creativity and action set it apart from similar titles.
Previously available only on Game Pass Ultimate since mid-2025, My Time at Sandrock is now accessible to Game Pass Standard subscribers as well. It’s also available for PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch players looking for their next life-sim adventure.
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