Xbox Game Pass’ 10 Best Games in May 2026, Ranked

May 2026’s Xbox Game Pass is packed with new releases, including what’s expected to be Xbox’s biggest hit of the year, available on day one. Plus, there’s a good selection of older games to enjoy. Most of these benefits are for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members, who get the most value from the service. Game Pass Premium subscribers will also receive a collection of classic titles, such as DOOM: The Dark Ages.

Aside from those “new” Premium-tier games, here are the 10 best Game Pass games for May 2026.

10) Escape Simulator

Unlike most simulators that focus on jobs, Escape Simulator puts you inside an escape room and challenges you to, well, escape! It’s a simple game where you solve puzzles, and those puzzles are pretty good – they fit the different room themes nicely and are even more fun when played with friends. While the sequel is larger and offers more, the original game still holds up as a great experience.

9) Call of the Elder Gods

Call of the Elder Gods is a fresh addition to Game Pass and a good match for the service. The game features clever puzzles that require careful thought and planning – you can’t just randomly try things until you succeed. This puzzle-solving is the game’s strongest element, as the story and characters aren’t particularly memorable.

8) Wildgate

Wildgate is a space-based, sci-fi shooter that feels similar to Sea of Thieves, focusing on both player-versus-player and player-versus-environment combat. It’s best experienced with a team, where you’ll work together to scavenge for loot and battle other squads. The game has a polished feel, likely due to its development team being largely comprised of former Blizzard Entertainment employees. When everything clicks, the chaotic physics and unpredictable elements create exciting, fast-paced encounters, but coordinating with a reliable group is key to truly enjoying the game.

7) Final Fantasy 5

While often overlooked in discussions about the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy 5 remains a fantastic game. Its Job system is particularly strong, letting players customize their characters in many ways and making battles consistently fun. Recent updates, like auto-battle, increased experience points, and the option to turn off random battles, have helped the game stay relevant and enjoyable for today’s players.

6) Remnant 2

While many games inspired by Dark Souls focus on close-combat fighting, Remnant 2 stands out by blending that challenging style with third-person shooting. It also adds elements of roguelike games, where levels change with each playthrough, and looter shooters, where you’re constantly finding new gear. This combination creates a captivating experience that keeps things interesting with ever-changing levels and plenty of ways to improve your character. It’s a significant step up from the original Remnant and one of the best games that mixes these different genres.

5) Black Jacket

While not identical to Balatro, Black Jacket shares its engaging card game design and surprising depth. It’s a roguelike take on blackjack, and building powerful combinations through each run is incredibly satisfying. The game also features an interesting story, but it’s the clever interplay of its many mechanics that truly makes it addictive and ensures it stays fresh for a long time.

4) The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition

Even with the release of The Outer Worlds 2 in 2025, the original game remains remarkably strong. In fact, many consider it the better experience. This Falloutinspired RPG boasts a more compelling story and sharper writing, giving players significant control over their journey and character development. The game’s two expansions add even more depth to both the story and gameplay. While the sequel’s combat feels a bit more polished, the original still offers solid action thanks to the freedom players have in customizing their character. Surprisingly, Obsidian Entertainment has recently resumed updating the first Outer Worlds*, with a major patch planned to include numerous fixes, improvements, and even the ability to use grenades.

3) Mixtape

Mixtape is a strong contender for Game of the Year. It’s a heartfelt coming-of-age story about a group of teenagers, their love of music, and the bonds they share. Though the core idea is simple, the game truly shines because of how authentically and skillfully it’s all brought together.

2) Luna Abyss

Luna Abyss blends elements from games like DOOM, NieR:Automata, Returnal, and Metroid Prime, but ultimately creates a unique experience. This fast-paced, bullet-hell shooter is packed with intense action – especially on higher difficulty levels – but it’s also much more than just a shooting game. Its distinctive visuals, quirky characters, and surprisingly good writing all come together to create a truly memorable adventure.

1) Forza Horizon 6

Following the huge success of Forza Horizon 5, Forza Horizon 6 delivers impressively. It maintains the series’ signature excellent driving and stunning graphics, but truly shines thanks to its new location. Japan is beautifully recreated, offering tons of activities – from racing Gundams to making deliveries – that dedicated players could easily spend over 100 hours completing. While a lot of content doesn’t always mean a great game, Forza Horizon 6 manages to offer both quantity and quality.

2026-05-24 15:14