While March is off to a strong start for new games already, with Pokémon Pokopia, Slay the Spire 2, and Marathon all releasing this past week, none of those are on Xbox Game Pass. Neither is February’s Resident Evil Requiem, one of the year’s best games so far (and one that might end up in the GOTY conversation by year’s end). But you know what is on Game Pass? A bounty of excellent games well worth checking out.
This week’s recommendations include a precursor to Requiem, an indie hit, and a must-play roguelike deckbuilder.
Resident Evil 2
Everyone’s talking about Resident Evil Requiem right now, partly because it’s become the fastest-selling game in the series’s history, and mostly because grown-up Leon looks incredibly hot. Whether you’ve already finished Requiem or you’re holding out for a sale, now’s the perfect time to revisit Capcom’s stellar Resident Evil 2 remake on Game Pass. As rookie cop Leon, you’re tasked with escaping Raccoon City police headquarters and uncovering the nefarious secrets of the Umbrella Corporation. RE2 is a thrilling, exquisitely paced adventure that you can easily devour in a weekend. And if you’re left wanting more, you can double your pleasure by playing Claire Redfield’s route. —Jen Glennon
Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf
I love me a stylish and cinematic indie puzzle-platformer, and few are as stylish and cinematic as the newly released Planet of Lana 2. Without recognizable language, it tells a deeply personal narrative through expressive animation, sweeping music, and standout vocal performances of lines that to our ears sound like gibberish. The mechanics are deeper than the first game’s with new ways to tackle puzzles, like using Mui’s ability to hypnotize creatures to progress solutions. Planet of Lana 2 opens with a recap of the first game (the only told part in a recognizable language), so you don’t technically need to have played the 2023 hidden gem to enjoy its sequel. But, you still should as both games are available on Game Pass. —Austin Manchester
Slay the Spire
Slay the Spire 2 just had one of the biggest game launches of the year. But if you’re curious to hear what all the hype is about before hopping on the train, the first one’s still right there. Mega Crit’s 2019 roguelike deckbuilder is arguably the game that kicked off the roguelike deckbuilder trend we’re in the middle of right now. Its mix of cards and characters are an immediate draw for anyone who likes crafting strategy. But its the unique fantastical visuals and true depth of run variety that keep people coming back (for years). Slay the Spire 2 takes the original’s fundamentals and builds on it, but if you want a taste of what to expect, that’s what the first game offers. —Ari Notis