Alright, let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Or maybe it’s just the menu screen on your Xbox.
You look at it, and the list of games grows by the day.
It’s tempting, really.
It feels like you’re getting a massive vault of entertainment for a fraction of the price of one new release.
But here’s the thing I’ve noticed after years of using the service: most people don’t actually know how to use it right.
They treat it like a store, but it’s really a rental service.
Or worse, they get addicted to the ‘free’ games and forget that money still has to come from somewhere.
Is It Actually Worth It?
Look, the short answer is yes, but it depends on how you play.
If you’re the type who buys a game, plays for two hours, gets frustrated at a difficult part, and refunds it, you’re wasting your money on Game Pass.
But if you’re like me and you enjoy seeing what the industry is doing outside your comfort zone? It’s a steal.
From what I’ve seen over the last few years, the value really comes from the ‘Discovery Engine’ aspect. And this is where things get interesting.
You get access to indies that are absolute masterpieces—like *Hades* or *Inscryption*—that you probably never would have found at the store.
But then you also get the AAA titles. Now think about that for a second.
Microsoft is pouring billions into buying studios, and the catalog shows it.
The Math Doesn’t Lie
Let’s do a quick mental check.
An Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription usually runs about $17 a month.
That’s $204 a year.
Now, how many $70 games do you actually finish in a year? Most people finish maybe one or two.
If you were to buy just the games you actually played on Game Pass, you’d spend over $140 more than you did on the subscription.
That leaves you with $64 to spare.
You could buy a few cheap indies or just buy the snacks for your gaming sessions.
It makes sense, right?
The Catch: The Disappearing Act
However, and you knew this was coming, there is a downside.
Games leave the service.
It happens constantly.
One month you’re grinding *Forza Horizon 5*, and the next month it’s gone.
This creates a weird anxiety for some people.
You start playing a game, and you feel a timer ticking.
‘I have to finish this before the 15th.’ It kills the vibe a little bit.
You’re not really owning the experience.
You’re just borrowing it until Microsoft decides otherwise.
Honestly, I’ve had games in my library for months, never touched them, and then they got pulled.
It’s annoying, but it’s part of the subscription model.
Now think about that for a second.
Core vs.
Ultimate: Which One Do You Need?
I see so many people paying for Ultimate when they don’t need to.
Let’s break it down because it’s confusing.
- Game Pass Core: This is the new name for Xbox Live Gold.
It’s just for online multiplayer on console.
If you only play online with friends, this is all you need.
- Xbox Game Pass (Console): This gives you the catalog of games.
No online multiplayer, though.
- Ultimate: This combines everything. But there’s a catch.
It’s for console, PC, and it includes Xbox Cloud Gaming.
If you have a high-end PC and a decent TV, you might not need this.
I personally stick to the Console version and just use a free VPN to play online if I really need to, just to save a few bucks.
It’s not the most legal thing in the world, but hey, saving money is saving money.
The Perks You Might Be Overlooking
Here’s the interesting part.
One thing most people ignore is the ‘Perks’ section of the app.
If you have Ultimate, you get free games every month.
Sometimes they’re old, sometimes they’re new.
Also, you get discounts at the Microsoft Store.
I’ve snagged a few $20 games for $5 just because they were discounted for subscribers.
And this is where things get interesting.
Also, let’s talk about the EA Play integration. Oddly enough,
If you add EA Play to your Game Pass, you get a lot of sports games and RPGs.
It expands the library significantly.
It’s not perfect—EA games often leave the service—but it’s better than nothing.
Who Should Actually Subscribe?
And this is where things get interesting.
I think this service is perfect for students or people on a tight budget.
If you can’t drop $70 on *Starfield* or *Redfall* every month, Game Pass is the answer.
You get the big hits without the sticker shock.
But here is my observation: the service is best for completionists.
If you want to play 10 games a year and beat them all, this is for you.
If you want to collect physical media and build a shelf? You’re going to hate this service.
It feels like a void.
Final Thoughts
Is it worth it? Yeah.
Most of the time.
But don’t just blindly subscribe because the menu looks full.
Take a look at the games coming out next month.
If you see three games you actually want to play, you’ll get your money’s worth.
If you see nothing but racing games and shooters you don’t like, save your cash.
At the end of the day, gaming should be fun, not stressful. And this is where things get interesting.
If a subscription helps you enjoy more games without stressing over the credit card bill, sign up.
Just remember to actually play the games you claim you’re going to play.
Image source: pexels.com
Image source credit: pexels.com