Before Hades 2 Hypnotizes Us All: Game Pass Has Some Cracking Weekend Wonders You Can't Miss
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Before *Hades 2* takes over, Jeff's been digging through Game Pass and found three surprising gems: a genuinely great *Indiana Jones* adventure, the wonderfully chaotic *Golf With Your Friends*, and the terrifyingly brilliant *Dead Space* remake, all perfect for a weekend escape.
Right, so the gaming cosmos is practically vibrating with *Hades 2* finally escaping its early access prison next week. And fair dinkum, I get it. *Hades* was an absolute masterpiece, a roguelike epic that made hours vanish like a rogue spell in a crowded tavern. Its return to Game Pass for its fifth birthday is a lovely, cheeky 'remember me?' before its sequel drops the mic.
But hold your horses, mates! While we're all busy polishing virtual chariots for Melinoë's grand debut, there's a whole universe of cracking games already waiting on Game Pass. You know, that endless digital cupboard of gaming delights that sometimes feels like a wizard's pocket dimension – always more inside than seems possible. This weekend, before *Hades 2* consumes our very souls, I've been rummaging through that dimension, and I've found a few absolute crackers you might want to give a whirl.
First up, prepare for a big surprise, because it's a genuine one: *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle*. Now, I'm usually the first one to eye licensed movie games with the kind of gentle skepticism reserved for a 'miracle' cure sold from the back of a van. More often than not, they’re quickly cobbled-together cash grabs, riding on the coattails of cinematic hype – a bit like a spell that looks flashy but just makes glitter appear. But bloody hell, *The Great Circle* is different. MachineGames, bless their cotton socks, have genuinely done something special here.
Forget the usual quick-time events and linear 'punch bad guy' sequences. This isn't your grandad's *Ghostbusters: The Video Game* (no offense to *Ghostbusters*, a classic in its own right, but you get my drift). Instead, we're talking a first-person puzzle sandbox, a proper brain-tickler that channels the spirit of *Dishonored* or even *Hitman*. You're not just running and gunning; you’re meticulously piecing together grand mysteries, sneaking through ancient ruins, and solving shrewd headscratchers. It actually, dare I say it, makes you *feel* like a globe-trotting genius archaeologist – sorry, 'discoverer' – which is quite the feat. It’s like they managed to bottle the essence of those classic adventure films and infuse it directly into the gameplay.
And Troy Baker, my word. His Harrison Ford impression is so eerily spot-on, so full of that gruff charm, it’s almost unsettling. The kind of voice acting that makes you wonder if he’s secretly got a direct mind-link to the man himself. Apparently, even Ford was impressed, which, if you know anything about the man’s public persona, is rarer than finding an actual ark in your attic. This game actually almost snagged a Game of the Year award in 2024 (yeah, I know, gaming timelines are weirder than a time-travelling wizard's laundry list), and it’s back in contention thanks to a recent expansion. Sadly, the DLC isn't on Game Pass, but the base game? Absolutely worth your time. Dive in and rediscover the joy of actual, thoughtful adventure.
Next, for something completely different, and potentially far more chaotic: *Golf With Your Friends*. Now, if you'd told me a few months ago I'd be championing a golf game, I'd have probably laughed louder than a goblin who just pulled a prank on a lich. But something’s shifted. Call it a cosmic alignment, or maybe just too much time spent pondering the perfect trajectory of a digital projectile, but I’ve got the golf itch. It started with some deep dives into the philosophy of golf as the ultimate 'choke moment' game (thanks, Bennett Foddy, you digital provocateur) and escalated to sinking hours into *Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots* and even some VR mini-golf shenanigans.
So, here we are, at the glorious absurdity that is *Golf With Your Friends*. It’s mini-golf, alright, but turned up to eleven. Imagine gathering up to twelve of your mates, virtual or otherwise, on fantastical courses filled with trampolines, giant fans, and gravity-defying ramps. It's simple, it's brilliant, and it's an absolute masterclass in 'hangout gaming.' You can chat absolute nonsense, discuss the existential dread of modern life, or just enjoy the quiet camaraderie… until everyone tees off at once and the whole thing descends into glorious, unadulterated chaos. Suddenly, your tranquil round of golf looks more like a conjured storm of bouncing balls and frustrated groans.
It’s the kind of game that reminds you that sometimes, the most profound gaming experiences aren't about photorealistic graphics or epic narratives, but about shared laughter and unexpected moments of triumph (or hilarious failure). If you’ve never dipped your toes into its wonderfully weird waters, seriously, slot it into your multiplayer rotation. It's a genuinely good time, perfect for unwinding after a long week of, well, existing.
Finally, if you're feeling brave – and I mean *properly* brave, the kind of brave where you know you're about to venture into a dark, creaky space station where things go bump in the night and then try to dismember you – then strap into your rig for the *Dead Space* remake. Back in my pre-teen digital wizard apprenticeship, the original *Dead Space* was the kind of terrifying beast I'd glance at from behind the sofa, before noping out and running back to something less likely to make me sleep with the lights on. It was scary, mate, legitimately pants-wettingly scary.
But, as a seasoned digital explorer (and slightly less prone to pre-teen terror), I’m tackling it this year, and you absolutely should too. This 2023 remake, available through EA Play via Game Pass Ultimate, is an absolute masterclass in how to bring a beloved classic back from the digital grave. You're Isaac Clarke, an engineer thrown into the absolute cosmic horror show that is the USG Ishimura, a spaceship swarming with Necromorphs – gruesome, reanimated corpses that are just… *wrong*. Your mission? Find your girlfriend, survive, and ideally, dismember every single one of those things with industrial tools. It's brutal, it's gory, and it’s brilliant.
But here’s the clever bit: *Dead Space* isn't just about jump scares and arterial spray (though it has plenty of both). It cleverly borrows elements from Metroidvanias, encouraging you to backtrack, explore every claustrophobic corridor, and uncover enticing side quests that deepen the chilling lore. One minute you're creeping through oppressive silence, the next you're in an intense action sequence, wielding an arsenal that would make some third-person shooters blush. It’s like a well-crafted horror spell that keeps you on edge, wondering what grotesque surprise lurks around the next corner. I still can't play it for more than an hour at a stretch without needing a cuppa and a cuddle with my digital familiar, but trust me, it’s an experience you won't forget. If you appreciate a horror game that respects its source material while polishing it to a terrifying sheen, this is your weekend treat.
So there you have it, a small clutch of digital wonders to keep you occupied before *Hades 2* inevitably swallows us all whole. Game Pass, for all its quirks and occasional questionable additions, continues to be this incredible library of experiences – a bit like an ancient, sprawling wizard's library where you might stumble upon a dusty tome that changes everything. Whether you're craving thoughtful adventure, chaotic multiplayer shenanigans, or a healthy dose of existential dread in space, there's something there for you. Go on, dive in, and tell me what unexpected magic you uncover this weekend, eh?
Tags: Game Pass, Weekend Gaming, Indie Games, Horror, Multiplayer
Original article: Polygon