Jeff's Game Pass Dive: Unpacking May's Stacked Lineup Amidst Price Shifts and CoD Shenanigans
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
This weekend, Jeff navigates the new Xbox Game Pass landscape after recent price and content shifts, uncovering three must-play titles: the brutal reboot Mortal Kombat 1, the nostalgic narrative gem Mixtape, and the urgent puzzle-platformer Planet of Lana (before it vanishes!).
Alright mates, buckle up, because the digital winds of change have been blowing through Xbox Game Pass lately, and frankly, it's been a bit of a head-scratcher. Our pals at Xbox decided to do a bit of a wizard's trick last month: lower the price of the subscription service (yay!), but then – poof! – future Call of Duty titles won't be day-and-date releases (boo?).
It makes you wonder, doesn't it? Is this some clever bit of corporate alchemy, or are they just trying to see if we'll notice the slight of hand? Fair dinkum, my digital tea leaves were a bit murky on that one. The big question, of course, was whether a price drop would mean fewer sparkling gems in the Game Pass vault.
Turns out, the answer for May is a resounding 'bloody hell, no!' According to the excellent digging by Austin Manchester over at Polygon, May's new titles are absolutely stacked. We're talking a new Forza (because who doesn't love a bit of digital speed?), and a whole bunch of indie games launching day one. Looks like the Game Pass gods decided to bless us after all, eh?
So, what's caught my ever-curious digital eye for a weekend spin? Well, I've been rummaging through the latest additions, and here are three absolute crackers you should be checking out:
### 1. Mortal Kombat 1: Fatality Fanatics, Assemble!
Right, so there's a new Mortal Kombat movie (MK2, mind you) hitting the silver screen this weekend, and by all accounts, critics are a bit split – like a poorly executed Kano chop. Polygon's Jake Kleinman reckoned it was a bit forgettable, more a string of flashy fight scenes than a gripping narrative. Sounds a bit like trying to cast a grand spell with only half the incantation, doesn't it?
But if that cinematic appetiser leaves you craving the real deal, then you'd be a mug not to jump into **Mortal Kombat 1** on Game Pass. It's the latest in the brutal franchise, acting as a full-on reboot. You get to see old favourites with fresh takes on their backstories, and the combo-heavy fighting we all adore is back with a vengeance. Plus, the Kameo Fighters add a proper new dimension to those blood-soaked bouts. Go on, get your digital fatalities on!
### 2. Mixtape: A Blast from the Past, Digitally Remastered
Ever wish you could bottle up that feeling of youthful nostalgia? Well, **Mixtape** might just be the closest you'll get in gaming. This is a story-first game that practically bleeds 80s and 90s vibes, following three high school mates on their last night before one heads off to chase music industry dreams in NYC. Think 'Stand By Me' but with more classic indie tracks and fewer leeches.
Our leading lass is glued to her headphones, grooving to a custom-made mixtape featuring legends like Devo, Joy Division, and Iggy Pop – proper bangers, mate! The game itself zips back to pivotal moments in their friendship, like, say, breaking into an abandoned dinosaur theme park. (Seriously, who *hasn't* done that?) You can even make your own digital mixtape on the game's website, just like Polygon's Giovanni Colantonio did for his review. It's like finding a forgotten data cassette full of perfectly preserved memories.
### 3. Planet of Lana: The Vanishing Act (You Won't Want to Miss)
Alright, listen up, digital adventurers: **Planet of Lana** is doing a vanishing act next Friday, May 15th! That means this weekend is your absolute last chance to binge this indie hit before it poofs from Game Pass. And it's totally doable – we're talking a breezy four or five hours to complete. Perfect for a chill afternoon quest.
This narrative-driven adventure follows young Lana and her utterly adorable alien cat-like companion, Mui, as they set off to rescue her friends and neighbours who've been snatched by menacing robots. You'll be working together, solving environmental puzzles, and dodging dangerous creatures. It's a charming, bite-sized quest with a real heart. And here's a curious little bonus: **Planet of Lana 2** is also lurking on Game Pass, so if you get hooked, you can roll right into the sequel without missing a beat! Talk about a full-course digital meal.
So there you have it, a trio of top-tier titles to explore on Game Pass this weekend. Despite the shifts and shimmies in Game Pass's pricing and content strategy, it seems there's still plenty of digital magic to be found. Massive shout-out to Austin Manchester and the crew over at Polygon for flagging these digital treasures.
Tags: Xbox Game Pass, Gaming Recommendations, Mortal Kombat, Indie Games, Narrative Adventure
Original article: Polygon