Microsoft has officially announced the wave of titles set to arrive on Xbox Game Pass in the final days of April 2024 and early May, delivering a particularly potent mix of long-awaited new releases and celebrated independent gems. Subscribers can look forward to the highly anticipated early access launch of Hades 2 alongside compelling experiences like The Thaumaturge, the survival horror game Another Crab’s Treasure, and notable additions from EA Play. This article provides a complete breakdown of all incoming titles, their release dates, and which platforms they will be available on.
Core Games Coming to Xbox Game Pass
The primary wave of new games brings a diverse selection to the service, headlined by one of the most anticipated sequels in recent memory.
Hades II (Early Access) – May 6
The immediate follow-up to Supergiant Games’ award-winning roguelike, Hades II, enters Early Access on PC via Steam, the Microsoft Store, and the Epic Games Store. This early iteration will offer players a substantial first taste of the underworld’s new protagonist, Melinoë, as she battles against the forces of Time. Expect new locations, weapons, powers, and characters, with the game’s content and story to expand significantly throughout the Early Access period before its full 1.0 launch.
The Thaumaturge – Now Available
Already available since April 30, The Thaumaturge is a story-focused RPG set in an alternate-history 1905 Warsaw. Players assume the role of a thaumaturge, a wielder of esoteric arts who can manipulate souls and command ethereal beings called Salutors. The game combines investigative gameplay with morally complex choices and unique turn-based combat, offering a deep narrative experience rooted in Slavic mythology.
Another Crab’s Treasure – April 25
Aggro Crab’s soulslike adventure, Another Crab’s Treasure, is now available on Game Pass. This underwater odyssey casts players as Kril the hermit crab, who must don discarded undersea trash as makeshift armor to battle a colorful cast of crustacean enemies and recover his repossessed shell. The game is renowned for its challenging combat, vibrant art style, and surprisingly poignant environmental themes.
EA Play Additions for April and May
Subscribers with an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass membership, which includes EA Play, gain access to several new titles as part of the EA Play catalog. EA Sports PGA Tour is available now, offering a comprehensive golf simulation. On May 9, the high-speed racing game Need for Speed Unbound will join the library, followed by the cooperative first-person shooter Titanfall 2 on May 16.
Platform Availability and Installation Details
The new arrivals span console, PC, and cloud platforms. Hades II will be available exclusively on PC during its Early Access phase. The Thaumaturge, Another Crab’s Treasure, and the EA Play titles (EA Sports PGA Tour, Need for Speed Unbound, Titanfall 2) are accessible across Xbox consoles, PC, and via Xbox Cloud Gaming. To install these games, subscribers can browse the Game Pass catalog directly on their Xbox console, use the Xbox app on Windows PC, or initiate a cloud play session through the Xbox app on mobile devices or directly on a compatible TV.
Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass Soon
Alongside new arrivals, several titles are scheduled to depart the service in mid-May. Subscribers have until May 15 to finish playing or to purchase these games at a discount before they leave. The confirmed departures include Chicory: A Colorful Tale (Console, PC, Cloud), Farworld Pioneers (Console, PC, Cloud), JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R (Console, PC, Cloud), Pac-Man Museum+ (Console, PC, Cloud), Little Witch in the Woods (Console, PC, Cloud), and MLB The Show 23 (Console, Cloud).
The Strategic Value of Xbox Game Pass in April 2024
This latest update underscores the strategic diversity of the Xbox Game Pass library. By including the Early Access version of Hades II, Microsoft taps into the immense community hype and engagement surrounding Supergiant’s latest project, offering immense value to PC subscribers. Simultaneously, the addition of a narrative-heavy RPG like The Thaumaturge and a creative indie soulslike like Another Crab’s Treasure caters to distinct player demographics, while the EA Play supplements ensure a steady stream of high-profile, established titles. This multi-pronged approach strengthens the service’s proposition as a comprehensive gaming destination.
The constant evolution of Xbox Game Pass remains its defining strength, with the late April and early May 2024 additions serving as a prime example. From the groundbreaking early access opportunity with Hades II to the deep narrative of The Thaumaturge and the inventive challenge of Another Crab’s Treasure, the service continues to deliver a curated mix of blockbuster potential and critical acclaim directly to subscribers. While players prioritize the soon-to-depart titles, the incoming slate promises to dominate gameplay time for the foreseeable future, reinforcing Game Pass’s role as a central hub for discovering and experiencing a wide spectrum of interactive entertainment.
