Surprise: two unexpected games arrive on Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft typically reveals new Xbox Game Pass additions twice a month. This time, however, subscribers are in for a surprise with the unexpected inclusion of two titles: For The King II and Hunt: Showdown 1896. According to an announcement by the developers on X (formerly Twitter), both games will join the Game Pass library on December 12.
For The King II
For The King II is a strategic RPG where players lead a band of heroes in a rebellion against the Queen of Fahrul. The campaign can be tackled solo or with up to three friends, featuring turn-based battles and procedurally generated maps. These maps are divided into hexagonal tiles, with each turn offering opportunities to explore, encounter enemies, complete quests, or face random events. This dynamic gameplay keeps the adventure fresh and engaging.
Developed by Curve Games and published by IronOak Games, For The King II launched in November 2023. Priced at around $25 on Steam, the strategy RPG has received a "Mostly Positive" rating, with approximately 70 percent positive reviews from 9,800 players. The reception on Metacritic is similar, with a Metascore of 76 and a user score of 7.8. While many players enjoy the game, criticism has focused on technical issues and the lack of significant innovations compared to its predecessor.
Hunt: Showdown 1896
This tactical multiplayer shooter immerses players in a gritty, monster-infested world set in 1896. As a hunter, you’ll battle not only other players but also a host of deadly creatures, creating a tense PvPvE experience. The realistic weapon damage adds to the challenge, as does the use of authentic 19th-century firearms like revolvers, shotguns and crossbows. Survival is the ultimate goal, with the permadeath mechanic heightening the stakes and delivering an extra layer of intensity.
Hunt: Showdown 1896 is the creation of Crytek, the German studio renowned for the hit game Crysis. In August 2024, the developers launched an enhanced version featuring a significant graphics overhaul with CryEngine 5.11 and a brand-new map. "Mammon's Gulch" shifts the setting from Louisiana’s swamps to Colorado’s rugged mountain landscapes, offering players a fresh environment to explore.
On Steam, the first-person shooter is priced at around $30 and holds a "Mostly Positive" rating, with 70 percent of roughly 9,800 reviews being favorable. On Metacritic, Hunt: Showdown 1896 has a Metascore of 80 and a user score of 6.7. The mixed reception stems partly from the initial limitation of the updated version, which launched with only the new map, "Mammon's Gulch," while older maps were being adapted to the updated CryEngine. However, all maps are now fully available again.
Source(s)
X (formerly Twitter) For The King 2 / Hunt: Showdown 1896
Image source: Xbox
