Episodes

This week on Game Pass or Pass, we're talking about two very different games that have us excited for what's next: Forza Horizon 6 and Black Jacket.

This week on Game Pass or Pass, we're hitting rewind and pressing play on Mixtape, the coming-of-age road trip adventure from Beethoven & Dinosaur and Annapurna Interactive. More than just a narrative game, Mixtape is a love letter to music, memory, and the awkward, exhilarating moments that define growing up. We dive into how the game's soundtrack drives the entire experience, why its unapologetically linear design feels more like playing through a favorite album than a traditional video game,...

Xbox Showcase 2026: Somehow...Exclusives Returned... The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 brought a packed lineup of announcements, including the reveal of Persona 6, a new look at Fable, more details on Gears of War: E-Day, and the surprise return of Spyro. Microsoft also continued to showcase its evolving strategy of bringing more of its games beyond the Xbox ecosystem, while also announcing console exclusives... What does it mean to be an Xbox exclusive in 2026? As Xbox expands its reach across mul...

After a year packed with Game Pass drops, sequels, surprises, and a few wild swings, it is time to settle it. This is our Game of the Year 2025 episode. In this special episode of Game Pass or Pass, we break down every game that made our final nomination list and debate which one truly defined 2025 not just on paper but in how it felt to play. Our Game of the Year 2025 nominees are Balatro Clair Obscur Expedition 33 PowerWash Simulator 2 Monster Train 2 Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 and 4 Lost in Ran...

This week we dive into PowerWash Simulator 2, the long-anticipated sequel that finally launched in October 2025 and arrived day-one on Xbox Game Pass. We explore whether this follow-up keeps the relaxing magic of the first game or if it leans too heavily on the formula. In this episode, we break down: How the core loop evolves across 38 full jobs throughout Caldera County, with multi-stage tasks and larger, more complex environments The expanded toolset: adjustable nozzles, surface cleaners, ...

Sometimes Game Pass drops something serious, sometimes something cinematic… and sometimes it drops a game where you launch balls into a pit and cause absolute mayhem. This week, we’re talking about Ball X Pit, a deceptively simple arcade-style title that’s all about physics-driven chaos, fast scoring, and “one more try” addiction. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we break down what makes Ball X Pit work—and what doesn’t: The core gameplay loop and why it’s weirdly satisfying despite being...

As we roll into the end of 2025, Xbox feels like it’s in the weirdest place it’s ever been. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we sit down and talk through the massive shift Microsoft made at the start of October 2025: the full Xbox Game Pass revamp with new tiers (Essential, Premium, and Ultimate), the 50% price hike on Ultimate to $29.99/month, the jump in PC Game Pass pricing, and the confusing split between day-one releases on Ultimate versus “within a year” access on other tiers. We bre...

Two very different games. One episode. In this week’s Game Pass or Pass, we’re taking a look at the upcoming dark action RPG Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and the hands-on creativity of Spray Paint Simulator. They couldn’t be further apart in tone, but both raise the question: does uniqueness automatically mean quality? We discuss: Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – How its Soulslike combat, plague-ridden setting, and folklore-driven narrative stack up against heavy hitters like Elden Ring and Lies of P. ...

After years of fan waiting—and even cancelled plans—it’s finally here. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 launched on July 11, 2025, bringing the iconic skateboarding duo to modern platforms with next-gen polish and nostalgia intact.

What happens when you mix stop-motion-inspired visuals, card-based combat, and a dice companion that can literally change your fate? You get Lost in Random: The Eternal Die — a bizarre, Tim Burton-esque action-adventure that’s equal parts whimsical and unsettling. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we dive into: How the dice-rolling mechanic impacts combat pacing and strategy The blend of real-time action with deck-building and why it’s unlike most Game Pass titles The dark fairy tale wor...

Published by the same studio and built around slow-paced, cooperative gameplay, both games aim to deliver immersive emergency service simulations. But do they nail the experience — or feel more like glorified training modules?

Rip and tear… but this time with a flail and shield. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we break down everything we know so far about DOOM: The Dark Ages, the next brutal entry in id Software’s iconic franchise — and it’s unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Xbox just dropped its Summer Showcase 2025, and we’re breaking down what that means for Game Pass players. In this reaction episode, we cover: Hardware reveal: Xbox-branded Asus ROG Ally and Ally X handhelds — portable Game Pass everywhere 🎮 Big game drops: The Outer Worlds 2 (Oct 29, day‑one), High on Life 2 (Winter 2025), Super Meat Boy 3D (early 2026), Ninja Gaiden 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 & more Indie & RPG surprises: Clockwork Revolution, Beast of Reincarnation, Keeper from Double F...

The train from hell is back — and it’s brought more cards, more chaos, and way more combos. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass , we dive deep into Monster Train 2 , the sequel to one of the most addictive roguelike deckbuilders in recent memory. With new clans, refined mechanics, and a surprising twist on multiplayer, is this sequel just more of the same — or a worthy evolution? We cover: How Monster Train 2 improves (or doesn’t) on the original New mechanics and clan synergies worth l...

Surprise announcement or long time coming? In this bonus episode of Game Pass or Pass, we break down the recent news that Microsoft is increasing prices on Xbox Series X consoles and first-party games.

A deadly painter. A cursed number. A world slowly being wiped from existence. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 drops players into one of the most visually striking turn-based RPGs in years — where every brushstroke is a weapon and every year could be your last. Inspired by Final Fantasy and Persona , but drenched in surrealist French art, this is a game that’s not afraid to get weird — or emotional. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass , we dive into: The unique mix of turn-based strategy an...

A nuclear disaster, a quarantined countryside, and something lurking beyond the fog — Atomfall drops players into a chilling alt-history Britain, blending survival horror with open-world exploration.

What do you get when you combine poker mechanics, roguelike deck-building, and a psychedelic visual style? You get Balatro — one of the most unexpected indie hits of all time

In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we dive into Microsoft’s new Xbox Copilot for Gaming, a groundbreaking accessibility tool that uses AI to assist players in real-time. Whether you're tackling tricky sections, learning mechanics, or just exploring a game world, Copilot offers a second set of hands — or brains.

In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we dive into the hyper-stylized chaos of Mullet Mad Jack, a roguelike FPS now available on Xbox Game Pass. We break down the gameplay loop, anime-inspired visuals, and whether the game holds up in a crowded indie shooter market. Is Mullet Mad Jack worth your time? Find out in our hands-on review.

In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, Cory and Bronson take a deep dive into Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, the full remake of the PlayStation classic. With a fresh coat of paint and modern refinements, does this nostalgic kart racer still hold up, or has time left it in the dust?

In this episode, we dive into Avowed, the upcoming RPG from Obsidian Entertainment. This game promises to offer a unique experience, combining a structured, linear world with immersive combat and a strong emphasis on story. We explore how the weighty combat mechanics and the game’s more focused, structured world differ from the sprawling open-world experiences many RPGs offer.

In this episode, we dive into Metal Slug Tactics, a tactical RPG that blends the classic Metal Slug gameplay with strategic combat. We discuss the difficulty and grind required to progress, the puzzle-like elements in the tactical decisions you make, and how the game pushes you to think critically about each move. While the grind is real, the rewarding challenge makes it stand out. Tune in to hear if this tactical puzzle game is a Game Pass or Pass.

On this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we dive into Eternal Strands, the new open-world action-adventure from Yellow Brick Games. Inspired by giants like Shadow of the Colossus and Breath of the Wild, Eternal Strands aims big with physics-based combat, elemental manipulation, and full climbing mechanics. But does it deliver on that promise?