Xbox Game Pass Adds 2 Day-One Games for Critical Thinkers

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The challenging deckbuilding roguelike Black Jacket is now available for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, alongside a new strategy game for players who enjoy a mental challenge. These two games are the fifth and sixth titles added to the Xbox Game Pass library this May.

Following the success of their 2020 adventure game, Call of the Sea, Spanish studio Out of the Blue has released Call of the Elder Gods. Like the first game, this new title is inspired by the stories of H.P. Lovecraft and his Cthulhu mythos, but focuses more on creating an engaging adventure story. While Lovecraft’s influence is present, Call of the Elder Gods is designed to appeal to a wider audience than just fans of cosmic horror.

Lovecraftian Call of the Elder Gods Strengthens Xbox Game Pass Lineup

Two new games, Call of the Elder Gods and Black Jacket, became available on PC, current-generation consoles, and Xbox Game Pass on May 12th at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Black Jacket, a deck-building roguelite similar to Balatro, was developed by Mi’pu’mi. Both games are playable with a PC Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription (Ultimate includes cloud gaming). They aren’t expected to be added to the higher ‘Premium’ tier of the Game Pass service until fall 2026.

I have to say, while it doesn’t tell a story quite like Call of the Elder Gods, Black Jacket really nails that same weird, unsettling feeling. The whole idea is just… bizarre. You’re dropped right into hell, handed a deck of cards, and basically have to gamble your way to freedom. It’s a really unique setup!

Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Games With Confirmed Release Dates

Date Game Game Pass Tier(s) Platform(s) Notes
May 12 Call of the Elder Gods Ultimate, PC Cloud, PC, Series X/S Day-one release.
May 12 Black Jacket Ultimate, PC Cloud, Handheld, PC, Series X/S Day-one release.
May 14 Subnautica 2 Ultimate, PC Cloud, PC, Series X/S Game preview; day-one release.
May 14 DOOM: The Dark Ages Premium Cloud, Handheld, PC, Series X/S Available on XGP Ultimate and PC GP since May 2025.
May 19 Forza Horizon 6 Ultimate, PC Cloud, PC, Series X/S Day-one release.
May 21 Beastro Ultimate Series X/S Day-one release.
May 27 Echo Generation 2 Ultimate, PC Cloud, PC, Series X/S Day-one release.
May 28 Crashout Crew Ultimate, PC Cloud, PC, Series X/S Day-one release.
Jul 13 Ascend to Zero Ultimate, PC Cloud, PC, Series X/S Day-one release.
Aug 4 Beast of Reincarnation Ultimate, PC Cloud, PC, Series X/S Day-one release.
Aug 14 Grave Seasons Ultimate, PC Cloud, PC, Series X/S Day-one release.

Just one game remains on the Xbox Game Pass schedule for the first half of May 2026: Subnautica 2. This is the sequel to the popular 2014 open-world survival game, and players will finally be able to explore the underwater world on May 14th on PC, consoles, and through Xbox Game Pass. Xbox recently released a new gameplay trailer showing what players can expect in the game’s first early access version.

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More Games

Xbox Game Pass is getting a major addition on May 19th with the arrival of Forza Horizon 6. Before that happens, five games will be leaving the service on May 15th and 16th, including Galacticare, a funny sci-fi hospital simulator; Go Mecha Ball, a colorful and challenging roguelite; and Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, a delightful indie adventure reminiscent of Grim Fandango. We expect to hear the full list of games coming in Wave 2 around May 18th or 19th, coinciding with the launch of Forza Horizon 6. Subscribers have already been able to download Forza Horizon 6 early this month, likely because of its large file size (156 GB).

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2026-05-12 18:09