Xbox Game Pass Users Only Have Days Left to Beat This 5-Hour Horror Game

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It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the limited time you have to play games on Game Pass. You might think you have plenty of time until you realize a game is about to be removed from the service, which can make finishing it stressful. Luckily, some games, like Carrion, are short enough to complete without that pressure.

Two games are leaving Xbox Game Pass on December 31st: Carrion and Hell Let Loose. Carrion is a unique horror platformer where you play as the monster, escaping from the scientists and soldiers who imprisoned it. Think of it like the movie The Thing, but you’re controlling the creature instead of the humans.

While Carrion has several good qualities, its short length is particularly notable. Most players can complete the game in about five hours, and speedrunners can finish even faster. Earning all 21 achievements isn’t difficult or time-consuming, as none are missable and you can reload after the credits if needed, making a 100

Carrion Isn’t a Genre Staple, But Is a Decent Distraction

One of the best parts of Carrion is how it lets you play as a monster and feel like a twisted hero. It’s satisfying to use the creature’s tentacles to attack guards, and its unusual way of moving—clinging to walls and ceilings instead of jumping—makes it stand out from other games. This spider-like movement is intentionally creepy, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.

The game features puzzles that utilize the creature’s ability to change size. Players can grow and shrink to unlock different powers – the larger form can do things the smaller form can’t. Figuring out the right size is key to moving forward. These puzzles aren’t overly difficult, but they offer a unique way to interact with and learn more about this dangerous enemy.

While the shift in viewpoint and unsettling atmosphere in Carrion are admirable, the game doesn’t quite reach the heights of the genre’s best titles. A major issue is the frustratingly imprecise control of the creature’s tentacles. Linking tentacle movement to the analog stick instead of a dedicated button makes them unreliable, leading to unfair deaths and undermining the feeling of being a powerful monster. It’s irritating to flail around and struggle, only to discover you’ve barely harmed your enemies.

While the game blends searching, action, and platforming – a style that usually focuses on getting powerful upgrades – it surprisingly offers very few. You won’t find ways to significantly boost your abilities, which makes exploring optional areas feel pointless. This is a problem because a big part of enjoying these types of games is becoming more powerful as you play. The short, holiday-themed expansion doesn’t help, as it doesn’t add anything new and doesn’t even deliver on the fun idea of fighting elves at the North Pole, despite its festive theme.

Honestly, the story felt a little lost. I got bits and pieces through flashbacks, but it never really explained what this giant blob thing is, or who these people I’m… consuming are. I get it, it’s tough to build a story around a silent, monstrous creature, and the game is mostly about the action, but it felt like Carrion missed a chance to tell something really unique with its whole ‘monster’s perspective’ thing. It could have been so much more!

What truly makes Carrion stand out is its unique perspective. Unlike most games where you play as the hero, this one puts you in control of a terrifying monster, completely changing the typical power dynamic. It’s an interesting idea, and a strong first showing for the new developer, Phobia Game Studio, who is already hinting at their next project. While Game Pass often gets praised for landing major releases like The Outer Worlds 2 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, it’s equally valuable for offering intriguing, up-and-coming games like Carrion.

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2025-12-25 17:15