Xbox Game Pass adds three new titles today – including a $60 AAA blockbuster
The standout addition to Game Pass today is undoubtedly S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, which launched in November 2024 and once again plunges players into a fight for survival in the Zone. If you're looking for a break from the action, Creatures of Ava offers a more peaceful experience. And for those drawn to emotional storytelling, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is worth a look. Here's a quick overview of all three new titles.
Creatures of Ava (Xbox Series X|S)
Creatures of Ava is a non-violent adventure – focused on exploration and healing rather than combat. You play as Vic, a 22-year-old naturalist who journeys to the planet Ava alongside her colleague Tabitha. The planet is being threatened by a strange infection known as the “Withering” – which disrupts its fragile ecosystem. Instead of fighting the local creatures, Vic must heal and rescue them using a special flute-like instrument. With over 20 unique creatures to tame, each offering different abilities, you'll solve puzzles and unlock new areas as you work to restore balance to Ava.
The world of Ava is made up of four living biomes – including the lush Nari Jungles and the mysterious Mâruba Swamps. Each region offers its own unique creatures and challenges, making exploration a core part of the experience. Players can use a camera to document the planet’s diverse flora and fauna – a feature that also ties into various side quests. Visually, Creatures of Ava features a stylized, colorful art style that complements its peaceful, exploratory tone.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Xbox Series X|S)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a survival game with a vast open world that puts players in the role of an aspiring Stalker. The action unfolds in the hazardous Exclusion Zone surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear power plant – a place teeming with deadly anomalies, mutated creatures and hostile factions. Your two main goals: stay alive and uncover a deep mystery buried at the heart of the Zone.
The open world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 spans vast, intricately designed areas, including abandoned villages, toxic swamps and crumbling industrial sites. Players are free to explore, scavenge for resources and take on dynamic missions. Choices you make directly influence the story’s direction, leading to multiple possible endings. According to HowLongToBeat, the game offers a massive amount of content – those aiming to fully explore the Zone and complete all side quests can expect to spend up to 130 hours in the game.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau (Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X|S)
Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a Metroidvania that blends fast-paced action with a deeply emotional story. You play as Zau, a young shaman who embarks on a spiritual journey through the mystical world of Kenzera after the loss of his father. Guided by two spirit masks that grant him unique powers, Zau must overcome challenges and face the three great spirits of death in a quest to bring his father back to life.
The game mixes acrobatic platforming with fast-paced combat, allowing players to switch seamlessly between the sun and moon masks to access different abilities. Its world draws heavily from African mythology, featuring lush jungles, sacred ruins and glowing underworlds that gradually open up as you gain new powers. With its vibrant, stylized visuals and an atmospheric soundtrack, Tales of Kenzera: Zau delivers a personal story about grief, courage and self-discovery.
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