Three new games arrive on Xbox Game Pass, headlined by new AAA game
The release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is likely to be this week's highlight for Game Pass subscribers. Players on Xbox Series X (available on Amazon for $430) or Xbox Series S (available on Amazon for $320) who enjoy charming adventure games or culinary co-op experiences can now dive into Little Kitty, Big City and PlateUp! - two exciting new additions to the console lineup.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (November 20)
17 years after the release of the first game, the time has finally come: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is getting a sequel. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl sends players into the Chernobyl exclusion zone - also known as "The Zone". As a stalker, you have the task of exploring the zone and uncovering its secrets. However, dangerous mutants, deadly anomalies and rival stalkers lurk around every corner.
The game offers an open world that invites free exploration, where decisions can influence the course of the story and lead to different endings. Survival mechanics such as hunger, thirst and sleep require a tactical approach. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will be released on November 20 at 5 p.m. (ETC) and will cost the full price of around $60. Game Pass subscribers can play from release at no extra cost - via cloud, PC and console.
Little Kitty, Big City (November 20)
Little Kitty, Big City is a cuddly adventure game in which you take on the role of a small cat that has lost its way in a big city. The goal: to find the way home. Players can explore the city at their own pace, encountering various talking animals and completing numerous side quests - such as posing for a photo shoot or helping the mayor's cat to sleep.
On Steam, Little Kitty, Big City is priced at approximately $25 and boasts an impressive average rating, with 95 percent positive feedback from nearly 6,000 reviews. The Metacritic ratings are also impressive: A Metascore of 79 and a user score of 7.5. Previously available on PC and Cloud via Game Pass, this charming adventure will be accessible to console players starting November 20.
PlateUp! (November 20)
PlateUp! is a chaotic restaurant management game that puts players' cooking and organizational skills to the test. Starting with a small restaurant, players gradually expand their establishment by perfecting recipes and delivering top-notch service to their guests. What sets PlateUp! apart is its focus on multiplayer gameplay - up to four players can team up, either locally or online. This allows for strategic division of labor, where one player handles cooking while another manages serving or dishwashing.
Previously accessible to PC Game Pass subscribers, PlateUp! has now expanded to include its console version as part of the gaming subscription service. On Steam, the co-op game is available for around $20 and enjoys an outstanding 95 percent positive rating from over 14,000 reviews. However, its Metacritic user score is a more modest 6.5, reflecting player concerns about the lack of content updates and bug fixes.
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