Launched nearly two years after its console counterpart, PC Game Pass has been there alongside Xbox Game Pass for over five years, but it's rarely been given the spotlight. But with recent games like Frostpunk 2Microsoft has no choice but to highlight PC Game Pass, and in that light, PC Game Pass seems to easily offer as much value as its older console sibling.
Although developer 11 Bit Studios is going to bring it eventually Frostpunk 2 for consoles, the game was released exclusively on PC and was also a first-day PC Game Pass release. Although it's only been a few days since its release, it seems that Frostpunk 2 was quite a critical hit, currently sitting at an impressive 86 on Metacritic. But Frostpunk 2 isn't the only well-reviewed PC exclusive to hit Game Pass this year.
Frostpunk 2 proves that Game Pass is just as good as its console counterpart
Frostpunk 2 is the latest in a line of great PC Game Pass Exclusives
2024 brought a surprising number of PC-only titles to Game Pass, many of which earned decent praise from critics and fans alike. Although still in early access, Terra Invicta was a great addition to PC Game Pass this March, allowing subscribers to experience the turmoil of humanity's divided factions in the wake of an alien invasion.
Lords of the Manor was another major success for PC Game Pass this year, launching in early access in April. Although he still has a long way to go, Lords of the Manor has earned a “Highly Positive” rating on Steam from an astounding 47,557 reviews, its medieval city-building/RTS gameplay immediately sets it apart. The co-op 2D sandbox RPG Keplerth was another solid addition to PC Game Pass this year.
Of course, the latest addition to PC Game Pass has cemented the value of the subscription service for good. Frostpunk 2 received near-universal critical praise, with many reviews praising the sequel's increased scope, new gameplay mechanics, difficult moral choices, and improved production value. Although it comes from an indie studio, Frostpunk 2 it often feels like a AAA strategy game, and its place on PC Game Pass makes it a must-play for any fans of city builders and dystopian settings.
PC Game Pass gets pretty much everything Xbox does
But PC Game Pass doesn't just give players access to PC-only titles. PC Game Pass also shares the vast majority of the Xbox Game Pass console library. Some of the biggest Day 1 releases on Game Pass this year, such as Flintlock: Siege of Dawn, It still awakens the deep, Hinterberg Dungeons, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2and Another crab treasure they all came to PC Game Pass at the same time. Similarly, the rest of the year's biggest Game Pass first-day releases will be coming to PC simultaneously, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circleand STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
It should also be noted that PC Game Pass is currently cheaper than the Standard tier of Xbox Game Pass, with PC Game Pass costing $11.99 per month, while the Standard tier of Xbox Game Pass costs $14.99. PC Game Pass also gets Day 1 titles, while Xbox Game Pass users must subscribe to the Ultimate tier to get Day 1 releases on console.
