Key Takeaways
- STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl joined PC Game Pass and XGP Ultimate on November 20.
- Early STALKER 2 reviews are mostly positive, with critics praising almost everything but its technical performance.
- Aside from STALKER 2, November 20 also saw Xbox Game Pass add PlateUp and Little Kitty, Big City to its Standard-tier library.
As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the addition of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a game-changer! This long-anticipated sequel has been a staple in gaming conversations for years, and finally being able to jump into its immersive open world without breaking the bank feels like a dream come true.
The game Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now includes the long-awaited title, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. This captivating sim is the seventh new addition to Xbox Game Pass in November 2024.
Similarly to the initial three STALKER games released between 2007 and 2009, STALKER 2, developed by Ukrainian studio GSC Game World, blends characteristics of immersive sims, first-person shooters, role-playing games, and survival horror titles. The project was initially announced in 2009, but it was canceled three years later; development resumed around 2018 with an expected release in 2022. After six years of delays, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl has finally been launched, making its debut at 8am PST / 11am ET on November 20.
Just as Microsoft announced earlier in 2021, the highly anticipated game STALKER 2 will be available on Xbox Game Pass on its release day. In addition to the Xbox Series X/S and PC platforms, players can also stream the immersive sim through Xbox Cloud Gaming, a benefit exclusive to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. Pre-loading of the game has been possible for owners of current-generation Xbox consoles since November 11, while PC Game Pass subscribers had to wait until its launch to download it. The day-one PC version of STALKER 2 is approximately 160GB in size, while the console version requires around 150GB of storage space.
Initial feedback for the upcoming game “STALKER 2” has generally been favorable, with critics highlighting its captivating open-world environment, intriguing narrative, and challenging gameplay as strengths. However, technical issues appear to be a recurring concern among reviewers, particularly on PC platforms where they seem more prevalent than on Xbox consoles. As such, the overall critical reception mirrors that of the first three “STALKER” games at their launch, hinting that this long-awaited sequel will likely be warmly received for its unique Eurojank charm.
Xbox Game Pass Standard Adds 2 More Titles
Prior to the launch of STALKER 2, two additional games have been included in the Standard tier of Xbox Game Pass on November 20th. One of these is Little Kitty, Big City, a family-oriented open-world adventure that has been accessible via Microsoft’s subscription service since May 2024. The other title is the restaurant management game PlateUp, which joined Xbox Game Pass back in February 2024.
Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Games
| Game | Date Added | Game Pass Tier(s) | Platform(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Kitty, Big City | Nov 20 | Standard | Console | Available on PC GP and XGP Ultimate since May 2024. |
| PlateUp! | Nov 20 | Standard | Console | Available on PC GP and XGP Ultimate since Feb 2024. |
| STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl | Nov 20 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, PC, Series X/S | Day-one release. |
| Nine Sols | Nov 26 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, Console, PC | Day-one (Xbox version) release. |
| Aliens: Dark Descent | Nov 27 | Standard, Ultimate, PC | Cloud, Console, PC | |
| Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | Dec 9 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, PC, Series X/S | Day-one release. |
In the coming weeks, we can look forward to two additional games joining Xbox Game Pass in late November 2024. First up is the highly praised metroidvania game titled “Nine Sols“, set to debut on November 26th. Following closely behind on November 27th is the real-time strategy title, “Aliens: Dark Descent“.
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2024-11-20 18:53