Mario Bautista
Released almost two years after its console counterpart, PC Game Pass has been there alongside Xbox Game Pass for over five years now, but it’s rarely been offered the spotlight. But with recent games like Frostpunk 2, Microsoft has no choice but to highlight PC Game Pass, and in that light, PC Game Pass looks like it offers easily as much value as its older console sibling.
Though developer 11 Bit Studios has plans to eventually bring Frostpunk 2 to consoles, the game has launched exclusively on PC, and it was also a day-one PC Game Pass release. Though it’s only been a few days since launch, it seems as though Frostpunk 2 has been quite the critical hit, currently sitting at an impressive 86 on Metacritic. But Frostpunk 2 isn’t the only well-reviewed PC exclusive that’s hit Game Pass this year.
Frostpunk 2 Proves PC 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 has brought a surprising number of PC-only titles to Game Pass, many of which have earned decent praise from critics and fans alike. Though it’s still in early access, Terra Invicta was a great addition to PC Game Pass back in March of this year, letting subscribers experience the turmoil of leading splintered factions of humanity through the aftermath of an alien invasion.
Manor Lords was another major hit for PC Game Pass this year, releasing into early access back in April. Though it still has a long way to go, Manor Lords has earned a “Very Positive” rating on Steam from an astounding 47,557 reviews, with its medieval city-building/RTS gameplay setting it apart immediately. The 2D sandbox co-op RPG Keplerth was another solid PC Game Pass addition this year.
Of course, the latest addition to PC Game Pass has cemented the subscription service’s value for good. Frostpunk 2 has received critical praise almost across the board, with many reviews praising the sequel’s increased scope, new gameplay mechanics, difficult moral choices, and improved production value. Though it comes from an Indie studio, Frostpunk 2 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 Almost Everything Xbox Does
But PC Game Pass doesn’t just give players access to titles only released on PC. PC Game Pass also shares the vast majority of Xbox Game Pass’ console library. Some of Game Pass’ biggest day-one launches this year, such as Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, Still Wakes the Deep, Dungeons of Hinterberg, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, and Another Crab’s Treasure have all come to PC Game Pass at the same time. Similarly, the rest of Game Pass’ biggest day-one releases for the year will be coming to PC simultaneously, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and STALKER 2 : Heart of Chornobyl.
It should also be noted that PC Game Pass is still currently cheaper than Xbox Game Pass’ Standard tier, with PC Game Pass costing $11.99 per month, while Xbox Game Pass’ Standard tier costs $14.99. PC Game Pass also receives day-one titles, while Xbox Game Pass users need to be subscribed to the Ultimate tier to get day-one releases on console.
