Summary
- Xbox Game Pass adds Flock and Magical Delicacy day one on July 16, offering unique indie gaming experiences.
- Constantly refreshing its catalog, Game Pass provides access to classic, indie, and new release titles.
- Uncertainty surrounds future Xbox Game Pass changes, including new tiers and price hikes, causing concern for subscribers.
Xbox Game Pass is adding two unique indie games, Flock and Magical Delicacy, both of which are launching on the subscription service day one on July 16. For now at least, Xbox Game Pass continues to be a cost-effective way to try out new games, as it gives subscribers access to titles that they might not otherwise play or even be aware of.
Part of the appeal, and perhaps frustration, of Game Pass is that it regularly adds and removes games from its catalog, constantly refreshing what it offers to subscribers. This includes classic titles with an established fan base, indie gems that have flown under the radar, and even games that are added to the service immediately on release day.
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Xbox Game Pass already has nine day-one titles planned for July, beginning with Cricket 24 and The Case of the Golden Idol on the 9th and followed by Neon White and Tchia, both previously available on other platforms, just two days later . Joining the lineup on July 16 are Flock and Magical Delicacy, two indie titles with very different mechanics to enjoy.
Developed by Hollow Ponds, Flock is a multiplayer co-op game that puts players in the role of shepherds tasked with guiding their flying sheep to new pastures. Leading them through fantastical and brightly colored lands, players will uncover secrets and perhaps coax the unique wildlife encountered on the way to join their growing flock. The animals provide colorful wool that can be used to make scarves, hats, sweaters, and other garments, and hopefully, by the time the well-dressed player reaches their destination, they’ll have discovered all the creatures hidden in the world of Flock.
Magical Delicacy, developed by Skaule, is another charming experience joining the Xbox Game Pass lineup on July 16. In this Metroidvania-inspired pixel art platformer, players are a young witch named Flora who spends much of her time cooking meals and concocting potions, exploring the town, taking orders, and collecting ingredients for her shop. But in keeping with the game's Metroidvania roots, Flora also unlocks new abilities in Magical Delicacy, which she uses to reach new areas, complete quests, and learn new recipes.
Xbox Game Pass Day One Releases for July 2024
|
Game |
Date Available |
|---|---|
|
Cricket 24 |
July 9 |
|
The Case of the Golden Idol |
|
|
Neon White |
July 11 |
|
Tchia |
|
|
Magical Delicacy |
July 16 |
|
Flock |
|
|
Dungeons of Hinterberg |
July 18 |
|
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn |
|
|
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess |
July 19 |
Xbox Game Pass offers an attractive alternative to the standard model of buying one game at a time, though that may be gradually changing. Many people are currently uncertain about the future of Xbox Game Pass and whether they’ll remain subscribers after Microsoft recently announced further changes, including a new tier and price hikes, to the subscription service. These come after a price increase in June 2023, as well as the introduction of Xbox Game Pass Core to replace Xbox Live Gold and its two free monthly games in September. The relatively short interval between the cost increases, along with the confusion between Core and the new Standard tier, has predictably been received negatively by many subscribers.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the highest tier of Microsoft's flagship game subscription service that offers over 100 game titles that you can play with a single purchase, making it one of the most outstanding value propositions of the Xbox ecosystem to date.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info