Released nearly two years after its console counterpart, PC Game Pass has existed alongside Xbox Game Pass for more than five years, but has rarely been offered the spotlight. But with recent games like Frostpunk 2Microsoft has no choice but to highlight PC Game Pass, and in that light, PC Game Pass looks to offer easily the same value as its older console sibling.
Although developer 11 Bit Studios has plans to eventually deliver Frostpunk 2 on consoles, the game launched exclusively on PC and was also a one-day PC Game Pass release. Although it's only a few days since launch, it seems like it is Frostpunk 2 was quite a critical hit, currently sitting at an impressive 86 on Metacritic. But Frostpunk 2 isn't the only well-reviewed PC exclusive to hit Game Pass this year.
Frostpunk 2 proves that PC Game Pass is just as good as its console counterpart
Frostpunk 2 is the latest in a line of great PC gaming exclusives
2024 brought a surprising amount of PC-only titles to Game Pass, many of which earned decent praise from critics and fans alike. Although still in Early Access, Terra Invicta was a great addition to the PC Game Pass in March of this year, allowing subscribers to experience the turmoil leading the splintered factions of humanity in the wake of an alien invasion.
Manor Lords was another big PC Game Pass hit this year, coming into early access in April. Although he still has a long way to go, Manor Lords has earned a “Highly Positive” rating on Steam from a staggering 47,557 reviews, with its medieval town/RTS gameplay instantly distinguishing it. 2D sandbox co-op RPG Keplerth was another solid addition to PC Game Pass this year.
Of course, the latest addition to PC Game Pass has cemented the value of the subscription service for good. Frostpunk 2 it received almost across-the-board critical praise, with many reviews praising the sequel's larger scope, new gameplay mechanics, difficult moral decisions, and improved production value. Even though he comes from India studies, Frostpunk 2 it often feels like a AAA strategy game, and its placement on PC Game Pass makes it a must-have for all fans of city builders and dystopian environments.
PC Game Pass gets almost everything Xbox gets
But PC Game Pass doesn't just give players access to PC-only titles. PC Game Pass also shares the vast majority of Xbox Game Pass' console library. Some of this year's biggest Day 1 Game Pass launches, such as Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, Still Wakes the Deep, Hinterberg dungeons, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2and Another crab treasure they all came to PC Game Pass at the same time. Likewise, the rest of Game Pass' biggest daily releases this year will be released on PC at the same time, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Indiana Jones and the Great Circleand STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl.
It should also be noted that PC Game Pass is currently still cheaper than the standard Xbox Game Pass tier, with PC Game Pass costing $11.99 per month while the standard Xbox Game Pass tier costs $14.99. PC Game Pass also gets day one titles, while Xbox Game Pass users must be an Ultimate tier subscriber to get first releases on console.
