With that said, it only makes sense that Microsoft worked hard to acquire ZeniMax Media and with it, everything Bethesda. Now that they own one of the marquee names in the video game industry, Microsoft has added some of the best Bethesda games on Xbox Game Pass to celebrate. But, just like every other developer and/or publisher, not all Bethesda games are made equally. Whereas some Bethesda games are just good, there are others that are borderline perfect. To help you out, we’ve decided to round up the best Bethesda games to play on Xbox Game Pas,s so you know which ones to prioritize and which ones to save for later.
The Evil Within
When it was first released, The Evil Within was cast as a throwback to the original Resident Evil games of the 90s and early 2000s. It even had survival horror series’ creator, Shinji Mikami, at the helm, and it did not disappoint. The Evil Within thrusts you into an unsettling world where you’re armed with basically nothing for the most part. As such, you’ll have to make do with what you have. In this case, it’s your feet and wits. You’ll find yourself spending most of the game either running or finding a way to outsmart whatever nightmarish monstrosity the game decides to throw at you. Speaking of monstrosities, the game is more than just its creatures. It’s the world itself that’s horrifying in a way that it will stick with you even when you’ve already put your controller down. For fans of Resident Evil and Silent Hill, The Evil Within is a game that should satisfy the morbidly curious.
Fallout 76
Stop. Put your pitchforks down and hear us out first. Yes. We agree. Bethesda botched Fallout 76 at launch in a way that was seemingly impossible. It was a signature Bethesda game with its fair share of bugs. However, Fallout 76 turned things up a notch and was essentially unplayable for a lot of people. Not to mention, even when you got to play the game, it had very little in the way of content to actually make you want to stay. Many years later, and it seems like Fallout 76 is ready to change the public’s initial perception of it, much like other games have done in the past. These days, Fallout 76 is slowly inching itself towards becoming more like a traditional Fallout title. The main difference is that it has a focus on survival, building bases, and completing numerous companion quests. With the 2021 roadmap proving that things are headed in the right direction for Fallout 76 (it’s not quite there yet), there’s no better time to jump in on the MMO-lite Fallout title. Plus, if you bring along a couple of friends with you, scavenging, participating in events, and building bases, all become so that much more enjoyable.
DOOM Eternal
DOOM Eternal is the follow-up to 2016’s DOOM reboot. Once again, it puts players in control of a guy who’s too angry to die. Despite improving on the non-stop twitchy combat that has characterized the DOOM franchise, Doom Eternal feels more like an FPS title that you shouldn’t hurry through. Instead, you should take your time savoring every moment to admire the admittedly over-the-top combat and gore with dynamic levels to boot. Just make sure that you don’t make that for moving slowly. The game invites movement, a lot. It even goes as far as to remind you to keep on executing enemies every chance you get and use a variety of weapons when you do so. In a way, playing through DOOM Eternal is like dancing. It’s a brutal one, yes, but still graceful nevertheless.
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
It may have been released nearly two decades ago, but The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind looks and performs better than ever when played on modern consoles like the Xbox One or Xbox X and especially, the Xbox Series X. Set in the titular province of Morrowind, the game is filled with life as it has numerous non-playable characters scattered all over that are either going about their daily lives, are willing to help you or in some cases, or are there to put an arrow to the proverbial knee. Admittedly, there are some aspects to Morrowind that feel dated. In particular, the AI and the combat system. However, for those who want to delve deeper into The Elder Scrolls lore, a Morrowind playthrough via the Xbox Game Pass is a must.
Wolfenstein: The New Order
Wolfenstein: The New Order has a little bit of everything for everyone, including those who only want to blast and slice their way through Nazis. Set, once again, in a world where Nazis won the Second World War, The New Order puts players in the shoes of William “BJ” Blazkowitc. But, don’t let its old-school shooter gameplay fool you, it’s a game with a lot more to it than meets the eye. Outside of giving you a truckload of weapons that’s enough to literally wipe out an army from the face of the world, The New Order also has a surprisingly deep story with a lot of nuances in its combat system.
Prey
For some reason, Prey never got the attention that it deserved at launch. We’re here to change that. Perhaps people expected something more in the lines of Dishonored. After all, it was made by the same people. Or maybe they were expecting something similar to other Bethesda titles. Either way, Prey is none of those games and that’s not exactly a bad thing. In a way, Prey is the freshest Bethesda game to release in years. The way that the first-person shooter uses its atmosphere to create this eerie feeling that anyone and everyone is out to get you is something we haven’t really seen this well-executed before. If you’re up for a sci-fi thriller with more than its fair share of near-unexpected twists, then Prey is for you.
Dishonored 2
The Dishonored franchise is one of the best Bethesda games ever released. The sequel, in particular, was a perfect follow-up to the already-magnificent first installment. Whereas Dishonored introduced players to a Thief-lite title with fantasy elements and a whole lot of stealth, Dishonored 2 improved on the formula. It made players quickly realize that it’s more than just a game with unique mechanics. It also had a gripping fantasy tale that involved everything from time traveling to conspiracies and so much more. But, that’s not the best thing. Perhaps the one feature that stands out the most in Dishonored 2 is its two playable characters. In Dishonored 2, players can choose to play either as Corvo, the first game’s protagonist, or Emily, the very same princess that players rescued from being kidnapped in the first game and who has now grown up to become the beloved Empress of the Isles that must now regain her throne after being deposed of in a coup. Dishonored 2 leaves players to decide how they want to play the game and how they want the multi-layered story to ultimately play out. If you haven’t had a chance to play any of the Dishonored games yet, now’s your chance.
