Halo Infinite is the quintessential Xbox experience. It captures the spirit that made the original Halo what it was (read: excellent) and brings it up to date with a few new ideas, stunning graphics and oh-so-satisfying gameplay. In particular, the all-new Grappleshot adds new speed and tactics to the battles. Even if you're not that into the Halo narrative, it's worth downloading just to get online and indulge in some hugely entertaining multiplayer.

Forza Horizon 5 is the game that makes PS5 owners jealous. The game has the player hit hyper-realistic Mexican roadways in some of the world's most desirable vehicles. From Land Rovers to Lamborghinis, this open-world racer is a game that's worth jumping into even if you have only a passing interest in motorsport. With mind-blowingly beautiful scenery and excellent physics, there are hours of fun to be had in this title.

For players of a certain age, 1996's Quake was a defining game, up there with Doom, Wolfenstein and Unreal Tournament as a must-have FPS experience. Well, Bethesda has done the gaming world a solid and released an enhanced edition of the classic shooter. Though it's still carrying its beloved retro visuals, they've been enhanced to look sharp on new screens. More exciting is the introduction of online multiplayer and co-op, injecting the convenience of broadband into the eight-player deathmatches. Split-screen local modes are still available for that truly vintage experience.

The groundbreakingly huge Microsoft Flight Simulator has made its way to Xbox. Everyone wondered how the game, originally a chunky PC title, would fare on the console. The answer turns out to be pretty darn great. Players will take to the sky in a number of realistic aircraft and complete challenges, short and long haul flights, and custom routes. Visually stunning and mechanically satisfying, MFS is worth a spring for newbies and seasoned aviators alike.

With IO Interactive at its helm, the latest Hitman Trilogy has achieved the greatness previous instalments have promised, but fallen just short of. Replying on your sandbox knowledge, skill and creativity, the intricate maps are now fully-fledged assassination playgrounds. Endless possibilities make this series endlessly enjoyable and replayable. Plus, let's take a second to appreciate that this is £100+ of video game for free thanks to Game Pass. A true bargain.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 is, unsurprisingly, the second instalment of the acclaimed Dragon Quest spin-off series. It's a block-building RPG that takes the lore and style of the long-running JRPG series and combines it with all-new creative flair and sprawling potential. The game isn't just a reskinned Minecraft, the fingerprints of legendary game creator Yuji Horii are all over it, and with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, players have access to over seven DLC packs.

Rainbow Six co-op teams have been facing down terrorist threats since year dot. In Extraction, things have changed, and it's time for some alien parasites to face the crosshairs. You can go it alone or team up with three buddies in this PvE refresh of the beloved Tom Clancy gameplay.

Hades is an award-winning roguelike. As Zagreus, Prince of the Underworld, you will attempt to escape Hades and reach the dizzying heights of Mount Olympus. There's a considerable amount of hellish and mythical badness standing in the way, but luckily young Zag has got some gods on his side. Plus, he's immortal, so when he dies, Zag can crawl back into existence, right back in the lowest realm of the underworld, ready to start the fight all over again. In addition to getting a better understanding of the gameplay, each loop sees the narrative progress in genuinely interesting and unique ways. All in all, this game is a belter.

Sea Of Thieves is something of a sleeper hit. Its initial performance was underwhelming, but as of today, it's a wonderful, swashbuckling title with a thriving online community. It's effectively a whimsical pirate simulator and, therefore, has very little in the way of rules or guidelines. It's all about freedom on the high seas, where you and your friends can raid, riddle and scour for glory. All before being ambushed by a far more organised party. The Sea Of Thieves: A Pirate's Life update in June 2021 included a free story campaign, adding Pirates Of The Caribbean's Jack Sparrow into the mix for some extra swashbuckling credentials.

Octopath Traveller is a beautiful HD-2D, retro-inspired title. It has you choose one of eight characters as your protagonist, each with a unique narrative and deep skill set, before embarking on an adventure around a diverse map. Along the way you'll enrol the help of the remaining seven characters as party members, engaging with their story and taking advantage of their specialist skills. The gameplay is a refinement of the old school classic JRPG-style, combining sprite world-exploring and polished, turn-based battles.

What Remains Of Edith Finch is a cornerstone of video game storytelling. You control someone visiting the isolated and abandoned Finch homestead, uncovering the life stories of deceased family members seemingly struck down by a curse. Though player interactivity is limited, it's often inventive and playful, adapting and changing depending on the story told. At times frightening, funny, unsettling and poignant, the journey is like no other. Even though it's over in under three hours, there are moments of this game that will stay with you for many, many years.

Thanks to Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media, the Bethesda Softworks catalogue has landed on Game Pass. Finally, there's absolutely no excuse for people passing up on the Dishonored series. In a steampunk world where misery and dark magic bitterly coexist - and looking and playing like a lovechild of BioShock and Hitman - the games' premise is based around the infiltration of secure locations and vengeful assassinations. The mainline titles and DLC are home to some of the greatest level designs of all time. They aren't long - that's why we think we can get away with throwing them both together - but they reward experimentation and multiple playthroughs.

A masterpiece of platforming and wordless storytelling, Limbo is an icon of the indie game movement. It follows a young boy who is hunting for his missing sister. Presented in film-grain monochrome, the side-scrolling gameplay and light puzzling pull you through regions of a limbo-like world littered with hostile threats.

Worms W.M.D returns to the series 2D roots, adding a few new mechanics and artillery options to spice things up. The turn-based battles now feature tanks, helicopters and boats, which can be controlled and used to attack foes, while buildings provide new forms of cover and interesting close-combat elements. While solo play is a good laugh, Worms W.M.D comes alive when facing off against family and friends, locally or remotely.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon is a bizarre, serious, slapstick, satirical and optimistic tale. Controlling Ichiban Kasuga, a betrayed ex-Yakuza with a heart of gold, you'll tread the neon-lit streets of Ijincho with a rag-tag band of equally charming characters. Like A Dragon is a notable deviation from the rest of the series in both tone and gameplay - it's the first to adopt a brilliant turn-based battle system. It's also the most accessible instalment of the Yakuza series, as it doesn't rely on you having played any of the other games.

Carrion is an excellent side-scrolling indie from Phobia Game Studio. It's a horror game but flipped. You control a red mass of tissue, think The Blob meets The Thing, and stalk and devour the humans unlucky enough to be in your way. As you do so, you grow. It's a really welcome twist on the genre and it's refreshing to be on the other side of the carnage. Just don't go thinking it's going to be easy - you need to apply some method to the madness.

One of the biggest advantages of a Game Pass subscription is the ability to take a plunge into the unusual, without having to sacrifice any hard-earned cash. In other words, perfect for NieR:Automata. It's an action RPG game of near-mythical cult status from PlatinumGames, set in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by robots and androids. The story follows androids 2B, 9S and A2, and requires a couple of playthroughs to properly flesh out, while the combat is deceptively deep and rewarding. On the whole, it's unique, bewildering and utterly compelling. Only on Game Pass for PC.

Grab the Needler and fire up the Warthog - it's time to kick it old school. Halo and Xbox go hand-in-hand, so it's no surprise that a collection of the first four games makes it into the list. Known as the Master Chief Collection, these enhanced versions of the classic instalments allow seasoned fans to bathe in nostalgia while new audiences get a chance to see what all the fuss is about.

Dramatic, creepy, eerie and unsettling, A Plague Tale: Innocence is a game that explores the French Inquisition and English invasion of France. It's got immersive storytelling and an atmospheric art style which will please anyone looking for a serious, well-crafted and thought-provoking game.