Three Open-World Games To Sink Your Teeth Into On Game Pass This Weekend

I see that with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, many of us have an extra day off. That free time is a perfect excuse to get some quality gaming in. If you have a Game Pass subscription, there are several large open-world games ready to be explored. This weekend, I looked at a few that offer sprawling worlds and engaging stories, perfect for a three-day break. They include a satirical science-fiction adventure and two different takes on the massive map-based games that Ubisoft is known for.

The first game I played was Revenge of the Savage Planet. It comes from Raccoon Logic, a studio formed by developers whose previous company, Typhoon Studios, was acquired and then shut down by Google.

They reacquired the rights to the Savage Planet series and created a sequel. The game follows astronauts who are hired for a research mission by a massive corporation, only to be laid off while in cryosleep. They awaken on an alien world and must survive. I found its gameplay loop has elements of crafting and base building, similar to Subnautica, but it's primarily focused on exploring several planets loaded with collectibles. The game uses slapstick humor to satirize corporate culture, referencing its developers' history with Google, and offers commentary on colonization as you strip alien worlds of their resources and kick around the local wildlife.

Next, I tried Star Wars Outlaws, which recently landed on the service. This game shifts the focus away from the Jedi and The Force, centering instead on the criminal underworld of the Star Wars galaxy. I played as the scoundrel Kay Vess, taking on missions for various crime syndicates and often double-crossing them. The gameplay felt reminiscent of the Uncharted series, with Kay being a skilled platformer and capable with a blaster. The game had a rough launch due to auto-fail stealth sections, but I saw those have since been patched. Now, getting caught during a stealth mission transitions into a firefight, giving you a chance to blast your way out. The Sabacc card game included within Star Wars Outlaws is also a compelling feature worth checking out.

Finally, I revisited Assassin's Creed Origins. While some Ubisoft titles are criticized for their overwhelming maps packed with icons, the company has a reputation for making excellent open-world games, and Origins is a prime example of their formula done right. Released in 2017, this was the first game in the series to lean into RPG elements, moving away from the franchise's urban stealth roots. I found its pacing to be tight for a 40-hour game. The optional activities are varied, including deduction, platforming, stealth, and direct combat. Set in Egypt around 49 BC, the world is beautiful and full of things to do without feeling bloated. It strikes a good balance, offering a substantial experience that doesn't demand hundreds of hours to complete.

Read also, why did Game Pass grow in price? Xbox Game Pass has seen many changes since it launched in 2017. A recent overhaul signals a move away from its original value proposition. Microsoft introduced new subscription tiers and renamed old ones, updating perks while increasing the price of its most popular plan. This has resulted in a subscription model that feels less generous than the one that initially built its reputation.