Right, So Is That Bloody $30 Game Pass Worth It This Weekend? Let's Find Out.
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Is that new $30 Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price tag really worth it? We dive into three wildly different titles – Double Fine's art-house 'Keeper,' the demon-slaying 'Doom: The Dark Ages,' and Yellow Brick Games' surprising 'Eternal Strands' – to see if their diverse appeal justifies the monthly outlay, offering a peek into the magical world of low-commitment discovery.
Alright, team, gather 'round. We need to have a bit of a natter about Xbox Game Pass. Specifically, that rather hefty price hike that saw Game Pass Ultimate jump from a neat £15-ish ($20) to a proper 'ouch, that's a whole takeaway meal' £25-ish ($30) a month. Yeah, I know, I felt that one in my wallet too. Microsoft, bless their cotton socks, have been trying to justify it with some day-one big hitters like *Ninja Gaiden 4* and *The Outer Worlds 2*. And while those are certainly… *things*… that exist, sometimes the real magic of Game Pass isn't in the predictable blockbusters. It's in the weird, wonderful, and occasionally wonky bits that you'd probably never drop full price on, but you'll absolutely dive into for an afternoon because, well, you've already paid for it, haven't you? This weekend, as the spooky season winds down (or ramps up if you're still in the Halloween spirit!), we've been digging through the Game Pass catalogue, courtesy of some excellent insights originally brewed over at Polygon. We’re on a quest to figure out if these peculiar offerings truly justify that new monthly outlay. So, grab a brew, settle in, and let's see what oddities are making the case for your thirty quid.
First up, we've got a proper mind-bender from the folks at Double Fine, a studio known for having more creative sparks than a wizard's misfired spell – *Keeper*. Now, if you've ever heard of Double Fine, you know they march to the beat of a very different drum. They're the kind of developers who ask, 'What if a game was… *this*?' and then just go and make it. *Keeper* is, shall we say, a niche experience. Imagine a walking lighthouse, right? With a bird pal. And it's on a silent, meditative journey through landscapes that look like Salvador Dalí got really into hiking. Yeah, exactly. It's an *artistic experience*, which is a lovely phrase, isn't it? It usually means it's slow-paced, visually stunning, and probably won't feature many explosions. Clocking in at around five hours, it's essentially a walking simulator with a sprinkle of light puzzling. Now, would you drop thirty quid on *Keeper* as a standalone purchase? Probably not, unless you're a devout Double Fine disciple or you really, *really* need to think about what a post-human world might look like while guiding a sentient lighthouse. But this is precisely where Game Pass shines its brightest, mate. It turns *Keeper* from a 'maybe someday' purchase into a 'why not, I've got a few hours and I'm curious' delve. It’s a thoughtful piece of craft, an experience that gives you space to breathe and ponder. It’s the kind of game that wouldn't necessarily appeal to the mainstream, but it thrives on a subscription service because it removes the risk of buyer's remorse. You're already in, so why not explore something truly unique? It’s a low-stakes exploration into high-concept art, and honestly, that's a win in my book. It reminds you that games can be more than just shooty-bang-bang, even if shooty-bang-bang is also bloody good.
Speaking of shooty-bang-bang, let's pivot sharply to something that absolutely embodies the other side of Game Pass's appeal: *Doom: The Dark Ages*. Remember the days when paying a full seventy quid for a new AAA game was a rite of passage? Well, Game Pass has essentially turned that into a 'nah, I'm good' moment for many. *Doom: The Dark Ages* is the poster child for this. It's a brand-new, big-budget FPS from id Software and Bethesda – you know, the folks who basically invented the genre. And it's there on Game Pass, day one. Now, the original article points out that you might balk at dropping full price for a single-player FPS that, apparently, doesn't 'evolve much' over its 15-20 hour campaign. And fair enough, that's a valid concern if you're parting with your hard-earned cash. But if you're already riding the Game Pass wave? Why the bloody hell not? You're already subscribed, so dipping in for a few hours of demon-slaying catharsis on a lazy Sunday afternoon is a no-brainer. The *Doom* series has always been about pure, unadulterated power fantasy, and *The Dark Ages* seems to be delivering that in spades. The Slayer's new shield, which apparently slots right into the game's parry-focused combat, sounds like a cracking addition. And let's be honest, blasting demons with a shotgun? That particular gameplay loop has the kind of eternal appeal that even the most ancient of digital wizards can appreciate. It’s a solid chunk of high-octane action that, while perhaps not groundbreaking in its narrative or mechanics, provides exactly what you expect: a good time. It’s the gaming equivalent of a reliable, powerful spell – you know what it does, and it does it bloody well. And the best part? No seventy-quid headache.
And for our final trick this weekend, we’re looking at *Eternal Strands*. Now, if you're anything like me, your ears might have perked up at the mention of 'Strand games.' And no, before you ask, it’s not Hideo Kojima’s latest fever dream, *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*. Though, let’s be honest, that would be a day-one Game Pass drop that *everyone* would be talking about! No, this is *Eternal Strands*, the debut from Yellow Brick Games, and apparently, it does the impossible: it makes fetch quests *fun*. Yeah, I know, I scoffed too. Fetch quests and fun in the same sentence? That’s like saying my spell to turn lead into gold actually worked and didn't just summon a flock of angry pigeons. But stick with me. The core loop here sounds deceptively simple: head out from base camp, explore an environment, bash some baddies, gather crafting materials, and then use those materials to deck out your weapons. Simple, right? But then comes the twist: boss fights against creatures the size of bloody skyscrapers. And to beat 'em, you've got to climb 'em, all 'Alex Honnold free-soloing El Capitan' style. The original article highlights that *Eternal Strands* is a 'messy, uneven hodgepodge of ideas that have all been executed better in better games.' And normally, that'd be a giant red flag, a warning sign waving like a mad gnome trying to get your attention. But here's the kicker, mate: *that's what makes it interesting*. It's a genuine curiosity. It's an experimental cauldron of mechanics, some bubbling brilliantly, others perhaps a bit murky. It's the kind of game that Game Pass is absolutely built for – a title you might overlook, or even actively avoid, if it demanded a full-price purchase. But as part of a subscription? It becomes an intriguing experiment. You get to witness a new studio trying out wild ideas, pushing boundaries, even if they sometimes trip over their own feet. It’s an authentic attempt at innovation, a bit chaotic, a bit messy, but full of heart. And that, my friends, is exactly the kind of unexpected gem that can turn a 'meh' weekend into a 'blimey, did you see that?!' one.
So, we've walked with a lighthouse, bashed some demons, and climbed some skyscraper beasts, all without opening our wallets beyond that monthly Game Pass subscription. Does this trio – *Keeper*, *Doom: The Dark Ages*, and *Eternal Strands* – definitively justify the $30 price tag for Game Pass Ultimate? Well, that's always going to be a subjective spell, isn't it? But what they *do* represent is the breadth and depth of what Game Pass *can* offer. You've got the art-house indie that removes the financial barrier to entry, the AAA blockbuster that saves you a small fortune, and the messy-but-fascinating debut that encourages genuine discovery. It’s a testament to the idea that Game Pass isn't just about playing the latest big thing; it's about exploration, about trying new experiences without commitment, and about finding those unexpected delights that make gaming so bloody brilliant. While I remain gently skeptical about *any* price hike, these kinds of diverse offerings certainly make a compelling case for keeping that subscription rolling. It's about value, yes, but it's also about opportunity – the opportunity to simply *try* games you otherwise wouldn't. And that, mate, is a magical power in itself. So, this weekend, maybe take a punt on one of these. You might just find your next unexpected favourite.
This piece draws insights from an article originally published on Polygon, titled 'The best Xbox Game Pass games to play this weekend (Oct. 31-Nov. 2 2025)' by Austin Manchester.
Tags: Xbox Game Pass, Gaming Deals, Indie Games, AAA Titles, Game Recommendations
Original article: Polygon