We are now over halfway through the month and most of the titles in question have practically already been released, but we still have time to carry out the usual overview of Xbox Game Pass games released and arriving in the first part of June 2024, which presents a particularly interesting list also full of well-known video games. Among these we find expected returns, famous games and even an absolute debut that could represent one of the most important titles of this period, so the list for this first half of the month is truly one of the most substantial seen in recent years.
In the meantime, we witnessed the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 which represented one of the best videogame presentations of these years, if not the best ever for Xbox in this generation, and this obviously also reflects on the prospects of the Game Pass. Almost all the games shown in the spectacular event on June 9th are in fact arriving directly within the subscription service, as they are largely internal productions or deriving from agreements that provide for the launch in the catalogue, so we can expect a continuation of 2024 and a truly high-level 2025 for Game Pass.
Octopath Traveler – Cloud, Console and PC, June 6
With the second chapter appearing as a surprise on Xbox Game Pass, the first is also back Octopath Travelera splendid Japanese RPG from Square Enix which effectively started the fashion for the graphic style defined as “HD-2D”, recovering the atmospheres and tones of the golden era of the genre and presenting a cast of particularly interesting characters.
In addition to being a very stylistically refined game, Octopath Traveler presents itself as a direct evolution of the classic JRPG tradition, which brings with it many basic characteristics of the genre, with all its strengths between narrative and atmosphere, but also offers some particular ideas, such as the different management of the characters and the fact of being able to freely follow their stories, without having to follow a pre-established narrative path.
Octopath Traveler 2 – Cloud, Console and PC, June 6
This month’s surprise was the arrival of Octopath Traveler 2 by Square Enix: not only did the game emerge without warning in the Xbox version, months after its release on other platforms, but it also appeared directly within the Game Pass catalogue, thus following the tradition imparted from the first chapter.
The game takes up the style and main concept of the progenitor and stages a direct evolution, equipped with a greater amount of content and reworked and perfected mechanics, as well as obviously a totally new story and other characters. In Octopath Traveler 2 we therefore return to the fascinating lands of Solistia to follow the story of 8 other characters, each with their own characteristics and background but who find themselves linked to each other in a great adventure.
Depersonalization – PC, 12 June
Perhaps the strangest and most innovative element introduced to Game Pass this month is Depersonalizationa role-playing game for PC still in early access, but which is already demonstrating some very interesting ideas, put into practice in a simple but effective way by the MeowNature team.
It is described as a tabletop role-playing game inspired by the myth of Cthulhu, but it has a rather particular characterization, fusing the Japanese anime style of the characters with oriental horror, together with the classic Lovecraftian tradition. This alone represents a notable element of interest, but Depersonalization also adds a hybrid game structure that promises changing and modifiable narration based on the player’s choices and actions, as well as different scenarios to explore through various narrative “modules”. If you want to experience something different than usual, this is probably the right choice.
Isonzo – Cloud, Console and PC, 13 June
There is definitely a special charm to it Isonzoa shooter about the First World War developed by Blackmill Games and M2H, as it is perhaps the first production of a certain level to focus mainly on the Italian front of the Great War, staging the furious clashes in the Alps.
The intention was to stage a shooter rather faithful to the historical reconstruction of real events, focusing on various events little used in the world of video games, such as the battles that took place between the Kingdom of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the mountains and along the Isonzo. Beyond the qualities of a shooter faithful to historical reality (which can be seen in the reproduction of weapons, instruments and war situations), the fact of finding oneself fighting in a convincing reproduction of the Dolomites is probably the most fascinating element of Isonzo, which however, it manages to break away from the mass of war shooters by offering something that has actually been little explored previously.
The Callisto Protocol – Cloud, Console and PC, June 13
The lead creator of Dead Space returned to sci-fi horror with The Callisto Protocol and, considering the experience Glen Schofield has accumulated over the years, great things were expected from this debut title from the Striking Distance team.
Although some uncertainty has clearly emerged, especially on the gameplay front, this survival horror maintains a particular charm, also by virtue of its decidedly advanced graphics, which contributes to creating a memorable atmosphere. Something extremely sinister and dark has manifested itself in the Black Iron penitentiary isolated on Callisto, one of Jupiter’s moons, and it is up to us to try to survive in a hell derived directly from the most disturbing visions of cosmic horror. The Callisto Protocol is a third-person action shooter with survival elements that offers extremely visceral combat, suitable for those who feel ready to face a truly terrifying challenge.
Still Wakes the Deep – Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X|S, June 18
The direct debut in Game Pass for this send is up to Still Wakes the Deepwhich is probably also among the most interesting titles scheduled for this month on Microsoft’s subscription service.
The horror adventure of The Chinese Room is launched directly within the catalog and it is truly an excellent gift for subscribers, considering how this new production by authors specializing in narrative adventures is turning out. In 1975, a mysterious emergency erupts on the Beira D oil platform, off the coast of Scotland. We must therefore go to the location, understand what happened and try to save the crew, but what we discover in this particular setting is an otherworldly horror that defies all logic and catches us totally unprepared. Speaking of cosmic horror, Still Wakes the Deep offers a particular interpretation of this particular type of disquiet, amplified by the chosen setting capable of building an experience of great impact.
Arrivals and departures for the first half of June 2024
Available on Game Pass from June 6th onwards
- Octopath Traveler – Cloud, Console and PC, June 6
- Octopath Traveler 2 – Cloud, Console and PC, June 6
- Depersonalization – PC, 12 June
- Isonzo – Cloud, Console and PC, 13 June
- The Callisto Protocol – Cloud, Console and PC, June 13
- Still Wakes the Deep – Cloud, PC and Xbox Series X|S, June 18
No longer available on Game Pass as of June 15th
- Bramble: The Mountain King (Cloud, Console and PC)
- High on Life (Cloud, Console and PC)
- Rune Factory 4 Special (Cloud, Console and PC)
- Spacelines from the Far Out (Cloud, Console and PC)
- The Bookwalker (Cloud, Console and PC)
