Great 30$ Games You Could Buy After Unsubcribing From Game Pass

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The recent price hike for Xbox Game Pass has upset many players. Getting access to new games as soon as they launch now costs $30 a month for the Ultimate subscription on consoles. While it’s still a good value for some, players might want to consider canceling their subscription between major game releases, like the upcoming *Call of Duty: Black Ops 7*, to save money.

Okay, so I heard Xbox Game Pass is going up in price, and honestly, it got me thinking. Instead of just automatically renewing my subscription, I started looking at what I could *buy* with that $30. One game isn’t going to replace everything on Game Pass, of course, but there are actually a ton of really good options in the Xbox store! I was surprised by how many different kinds of games are available, so I’m sure everyone could find something they’d enjoy.

Path Of Exile 2

Feeding The Looter Need

Path of Exile 2 is currently in early testing, but it already feels like a complete game before its official release. Similar to the first Path of Exile, it’s an action role-playing game played from a top-down perspective, where you collect lots of loot and choose from a variety of character classes, much like in the Diablo series. Each time you play, the game world is different thanks to its large, randomized environments.

Thanks to frequent updates, a variety of character classes, and a fun cooperative mode, *Path of Exile 2* is shaping up to be a game players will enjoy for a long time.

SteamWorld Heist 2

Strategy On The Open Seas

Okay, so I’ve been playing SteamWorld Heist 2, and it’s seriously cool. It’s a 2D strategy game where you lead a crew of robots on heists all over this awesome archipelago. The best part is you can constantly upgrade your team and their weapons with stuff you find during missions. And if you want to really max things out, you can replay missions to farm for better rewards. It’s pretty addictive!

Each player controls a teammate with a unique weapon, and skillful players can bounce bullets off walls to reach their targets. The missions are short and fast-paced, creating a gameplay experience that’s as engaging as the original *SteamWorld Heist*.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Here Comes Venom

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Definitive Experience includes the full game, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, plus all downloadable content and the prequel, Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes. As the last Metal Gear game created by Hideo Kojima, it’s considered the ultimate edition and remains a top-rated stealth game, playable on today’s consoles.

In the game, you control Venom Snake, exploring large, open areas to find resources and recruit soldiers for your Mother Base. While the story can be a little confusing for first-time players, this *Metal Gear* game is a great place to start if you’re new to the series, thanks to its strong and enjoyable gameplay.

Stray

Little Kitty, Big City

Stray is a charming adventure game where you play as a lost cat. This adorable ginger cat teams up with a friendly robot to navigate a futuristic city inhabited by robots and find their way back home.

Stray is a game where the experience of playing is more important than the goal. You’ll solve puzzles, navigate tricky platforming challenges, and even have a few fights. It’s not a long game, but for $30, it’s absolutely worth helping this cat find its way home.

Disney Illusion Island

Multiplayer Mickey Metroidvania

Disney Illusion Island is a fun Metroidvania game, especially for its price, and is enjoyable for players of all ages. While it features enemies, the game focuses more on exploring the world than fighting – you can only battle in certain situations.

Players can take control of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, or Goofy to explore a mysterious island, either solo or with up to three friends. While it might not revolutionize the genre like *Hollow Knight: Silksong*, this Disney game is a delightful experience, offering both humor and beautiful graphics.

The Jackbox Party Pack 10

A Party Starter

Most Jackbox games cost between $20 and $30, and it’s worth having at least one. They’re simple to set up for parties or family gatherings, and even people who don’t usually play video games can enjoy them.

Players simply visit a website on their phones, which then functions as their controller to play fun mini-games. A great option to begin with is The Jackbox Party Pack 10, featuring the standout drawing game Tee K.O. 2 and the unique, time-twisting trivia game Timejinx.

Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny

Resident Samurai

The classic game *Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny* has been remastered for modern platforms, bringing it beyond its original PlayStation 2 release. While the remaster doesn’t drastically change the story, it improves the controls, making the gameplay feel smoother and more up-to-date without sacrificing the original feel.

While it’s not quite as frightening as *Resident Evil*, this Capcom action horror game is still a lot of fun, especially during October. You can finish it relatively quickly, but with multiple different paths to explore, it’s a game you’ll want to play through again and again.

Hotel Barcelona

Two Minds Become One

Hotel Barcelona is a unique game created by the minds behind two well-known and eccentric Japanese developers, Suda51 and Swery65. The story follows a U.S. Marshall who gets stuck in a time loop while investigating a secluded hotel, searching for both murderers and witches.

This 2D roguelike offers lots of ways to improve your character with both stat upgrades and new weapons, giving you a sense of progress even when you fail a run. While the story isn’t as captivating as in *Hades*, it’s strange and intriguing enough to keep you playing to find out what happens next.

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2025-10-06 07:35