Xbox Game Pass adds its first game of 2025

Xbox Game Pass members can play Carrion as part of their subscription starting today, January 2nd. This is the first title coming to Xbox Game Pass in 2025.

Microsoft usually announces new additions to its game subscription service twice a month. The company deviated from that pattern four weeks ago, as the first wave of December 2024 Xbox Game Pass games also ended up being the only one for that month. Another unusual thing about this lineup is that it stretched to early January 2025.

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What to expect from Xbox Game Pass in 2025

2024 was a good year for Xbox Game Pass, and if all goes according to plan, 2025 could be an even bigger year for the subscription service.

The first title from this part of the 2025 list has now reached Xbox Game Pass in the form Carrion. Developed by Poland's Phobia Game Studio in Warsaw, this 2D horror experience hit the XGP content catalog on Thursday, January 2nd. This is the second time that Microsoft has offered its subscribers a game published by Devolver Digital, as Carrion it previously debuted as a one-day Xbox Game Pass release in July 2020 before being pulled from the service in July 2022.

As for what's actually on offer here, Carrion is a self-proclaimed “reverse horror game” that has the player controlling an amorphous blob bent on devouring anyone who has trapped it. The alien protagonist will thus spread panic throughout the mysterious facility and gain new abilities to help him wreak havoc more effectively. While this premise isn't entirely unprecedented, it's fairly well-executed, up to that point Carrion has built a reputation as one of the best monster horror games ever made.

Upcoming Xbox Game Pass games in Q1 2024

When it comes to acknowledging criticism, Carrion it has a “Strong” rating on OpenCritic based on an average score of 76 and a 75% reviewer recommendation rate. Its player score is equally impressive, with the game boasting nearly 24,000 “very positive” user reviews on Steam, as well as a 4.5-star rating on the Xbox Store based on around 1,900 views. Carrion therefore, it looks like a strong addition to the selection of high-quality horror experiences on Xbox Game Pass.

Because it's not a day one title, Carrion is now available on all non-core Xbox Game Pass tiers. Microsoft's subscription service has four more releases confirmed for this month, starting with Adventure 2021 Route 96another returning title that is scheduled for January 7th. Day one ARPG Eternal springs is then due to arrive on January 28th, followed by two more Day One titles in the form Sniper Elite: Resistance and Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vectorwhose launch is planned for the 30th and 31st of the month, respectively

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