Overview
- For the King 2 and Hunt: Showdown 1896 are now playable on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
- Hunt: Showdown 1896 is an extraction shooter accessible through an XGP Standard subscription.
- For the King 2 is a strategy RPG that initially launched on PC in November 2023 and has now been introduced to console players.
As of December 12, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can dive into For the King 2 and Hunt: Showdown 1896. These titles mark the 139th and 140th newcomers to the Xbox Game Pass lineup in 2024.
While Microsoft usually announces new additions to its service bi-monthly, recent indications surrounding the December 2024 Xbox Game Pass Wave 1 lineup suggest a potential break from tradition, as the updates extend into January 2025. This has led to speculation among Xbox Game Pass users regarding whether a typical Wave 2 announcement will occur this month.
Regardless of the announcement pattern, December 12 welcomes two surprise titles to Xbox Game Pass: strategy RPG For the King 2 and the extraction shooter Hunt: Showdown 1896. The latter, developed by Crytek, originally launched as Hunt: Showdown back in August 2019, later receiving an updated version in August 2024. For the King 2, debuting on PC in November 2023, is a console day-one release, making it exclusively available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. In contrast, Hunt: Showdown 1896 can also be enjoyed with an XGP Standard subscription.
Critical Reception
In terms of critical acclaim, Hunt: Showdown 1896 has a slight edge over For the King 2. Currently, it boasts an average score of 80 on OpenCritic, with a recommendation rate of 78%. In contrast, For the King 2 has an average rating of 78 and a lower recommendation rate of 55% on the same platform. Both games received “Mostly Positive”feedback from Steam players, although they cater to distinct audiences: For the King 2 appeals to strategy RPG enthusiasts, while Hunt: Showdown 1896 enhances Xbox Game Pass’s offerings of multiplayer experiences.
Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Titles
| Game | Release Date | Game Pass Tier(s) | Platform(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the King 2 | Dec 12 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud(?), Console, PC | Day-one console release. |
| Hunt: Showdown 1896 | Dec 12 | Standard, Ultimate, PC | Cloud(?), Series X/S, PC | |
| Carrion | Jan 2 | Standard, Ultimate, PC | Cloud, Console, PC | Returning title, last seen in July 2022. |
| Road 96 | Jan 7 | Standard, Ultimate, PC | Cloud, Console, PC | Returning title, previously available in June 2023. |
| Sniper Elite: Resistance | Jan 30 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, Console, PC | Day-one release. |
| Avowed | Feb 18 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, PC, Series X/S | Day-one release. |
| Football Manager 25 | Mar? ? | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, Console, PC | Day-one release; exact date TBA. |
| Atomfall | Mar 27 | Ultimate, PC | Cloud, Console, PC | Day-one release. |
Availability of For the King 2 on Xbox Game Pass Standard
According to Microsoft, day-one releases on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate typically take between six to twelve months before they appear on Xbox Game Pass Standard. This means For the King 2 could potentially become available on Xbox Game Pass Standard between June and December 2025.
The next confirmed title set to join is Carrion, scheduled for a return on January 2, marking its comeback two and a half years after its last run. Additionally, given Microsoft’s influential presence at major industry events, there is a possibility that fresh Xbox Game Pass news may emerge from The Game Awards 2024, set to begin today, December 12, at 4:30 PM PST / 7:30 PM EST.
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