Xbox and Bethesda revealed many games coming to Game Pass within the next 12 months during the showcase on June 12, but only a small handful of them are releasing day one on the service in 2022. Not every reveal at the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase was a huge announcement; however, there was enough information to get players excited for what’s to come. Along with the new game announcements, Xbox also showcased new game updates and partnerships coming in 2022.
The first half of the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase was primarily for released games that are moving to Game Pass in 2022, while also plugging future game updates for titles already a part of the subscription system. One of the biggest partnership announcements made was with Riot Games bringing its famously published League of Legends, Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, and Legends of Runeterra over to Xbox Game Pass in 2023. Another title from 2020, Grounded, was also announced to be one of the new games to play in 2022 on Xbox Game Pass. That wasn’t it, however, as future updates for Fallout 76, Elder Scrolls Online, Naraka: Bladepoint, Forza Horizon 5, and Microsoft Flight Simulator were all featured during the 90-minute showcase. More than updates and ports though, brand new titles were confirmed to be available day one on Xbox Game Pass in 2022.
In total, there are five new games coming to Game Pass on day one this year: As Dusk Falls, High On Life, Scorn, Pentiment, and A Plauge Tale: Requiem. All five games are launching at different times throughout 2022, so players can expect to see somewhat of a consistent schedule for Game Pass releases this year. On top of that, Game Pass will be dropping plenty of new day one games at the start of 2023.
Day One Xbox Game Pass Releases In Summer & Fall 2022
As Dusk Falls is an innovative Xbox Games Studio creation featured during the showcase, and it’s going to be available on day one through Game Pass this year. In fact, it was only one of two day one Game Pass releases to mention an exact launch date, which is July 19, 2022. What’s so fascinating about this game is how it combines movie-like narratives into a gaming format. It’s not a typical video game in the sense that players get to move around with a character and complete quests, but the studio does describe it as an “interactive drama,” which certainly shakes up the traditional format of most video games. And, while the game can be played solo, it’s designed for friends and family to co-op with one another and even supports up to eight players at once. So, players can look forward to an interesting plot to experience together this summer in As Dusk Falls.
In addition, Scorn‘s survival horror will help celebrate Halloween, extending Xbox’s announced day one Game Pass releases beyond summer alongside High On Life. Both Scorn from Ebb Software and High On Life from Squanch Games are big projects from prominent studios. Scorn is set to launch just before Halloween on October 21. During the Xbox and Bethesda showcase, Scorn continued to show impressive mechanics and a staggeringly beautiful world, albeit a scary one. High On Life is also set to release day one on Game Pass in October, but with no precise date yet. While the game isn’t classified as horror like Scorn, High On Life contrarily follows the light-hearted and comical themes seen in Rick and Morty, the animated series co-created by Squanch Games CEO Justin Roiland, and it also demonstrated some incredible first-person graphical and mechanical elements.
Shortly thereafter, Pentiment will also launch day one on Game Pass in November of this year. Like Inkulinati took cues from medieval manuscript art, Pentiment is doing something similar with its narrative-driven and choice-based format. The medieval game, as seen in the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase, follows a linear story but with multiple options that ultimately builds different character backgrounds, which might, hypothetically, turn out to create various endings. There wasn’t a specific date mention during the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase on June 12, so only time will tell what the final date ends up being. If players enjoy strategizing, taking their time, and roleplaying within video game stories, they’re going to want to take a look at Pentiment once it releases day one on Xbox Game Pass later this year.
A Plague Tale: Requiem’s Release Window Is Still Uncertain
There was one last sequel announced at Xbox and Bethesda’s showcase that would be available on day one through Xbox Game Pass in 2022, and that was A Plague Tale: Requiem. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a specific date or time of year mentioned for when the game would launch, which probably means Asobo Studio is finishing up polishing, but doesn’t know exactly how long it’ll take. Nevertheless, the confirmed 2022 date is a hopeful sign for the sequel that could finally wrap up the riveting narrative players followed in A Plague Tale: Innocence. Without a doubt though, the footage shown for Requiem during the showcase looks like its still sticking to the traditional roots seen in Innocence while simultaneously pushing the graphical boundaries further than before. Fans should be on the lookout for an official release date announcement sooner rather than later, as half of 2022 has already passed.
There are five brand new titles coming to Game Pass on day one, with plenty of other big Xbox exclusives coming in 2022 alongside many future updates to released games that will keep players engaged. While Game Pass is looking to finish the year off strong, 2023 looks even stronger now because games like Starfield and Redfall were delayed into the first quarter of the next year. Overall, As Dusk Falls, Scorn, High On Life, Pentiment, and A Plague Tale: Requiem will add a lot of value to Microsoft’s service. June 12 wrapped up this years’ Summer Game Fest, so now might be a good time for PC and Xbox players to think about an Xbox Game Pass subscription and if it’s a good fit for their gaming situation or not.
