Try these Xbox Game Pass titles first on your brand new Xbox Series X|S console.Xbox Game Pass is a great way to try loads of games for less - these are some of my favourites.Xbox Game Pass is a great way to try loads of games for less – these are some of my favourites.(Image: Xbox)

So, you’ve just unwrapped a brand new Xbox Series X or S console for Christmas and are looking for some new games to play. Instead of forking out upwards of £50 for one brand new game that you might not even like, it’s worth picking up a month of the Xbox Game Pass service to try out its huge library of titles without the commitment.

With a library that’s brimming with games both big and small, Xbox Game Pass is a great service for new Xbox owners who aren’t quite sure where to start with their game collection. From massive open world RPGs to indie gems, there are entire worlds out there ready to be explored with your new gaming hardware.

As a gamer who’s subscribed to Xbox Game Pass for over half a decade, here are my top five picks for titles you should try out first. They range through a variety of genres, so there should be something for everyone to dig into this Christmas.

READ MORE: Bethesda boss Todd Howard drops cryptic tease about the future of Fallout games

READ MORE: Fallout Season 2 reviews are in but can it live up to Season 1?

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders

Not all games need to be high-adrenaline action, and Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders strikes a great balance between being exciting while bringing an element of zen to the table too. It tasks players with picking out the best route down increasingly tricky ski slopes, carving through the terrain to find the quickest way to the bottom.

With time trials on offer for those challenging themselves to a speedrun, Lonely Mountains is equally appealing to those who just want to turn their brain off for a bit with a free-roam mode that hides scenic viewpoints to discover across its slopes. Throw in a bunch of new skis and outfits to unlock for a bit of progression and Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is a great first title to try on Game Pass that doesn’t require a huge commitment.

PowerWash Simulator 2

Another title that prioritizes chilling out rather than all-out action is PowerWash Simulator 2. This game does exactly what it says on the tin – you’re tasked with running a power washing company, taking on contracts to deep clean a variety of objects and spaces.

Armed with a bunch of different tools, you’ll need to soap, scrub and jet wash your way to profitability, ensuring you scour every nook and cranny for those last bits of grime. PowerWash Simulator 2 brings plenty of quality of life improvements over the original title, which saw a huge amount of themed DLC release for it post-launch.

There’s no word yet on whether the sequel will receive the same treatment, but Xbox Game Pass is a great way to give it a go to see if you get as hooked as some of its other players.

Immortals Fenyx Rising

If you’ve seen the gameplay of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and wondered if you can play something similar on Xbox, Immortals Fenyx Rising is likely the closest you’ll get. Developed by Ubisoft, this game mixes a focus of open-world exploration with tight combat and environmental puzzles, all wrapped in a story dripping with Greek mythology.

The main character of Fenyx can utilise a variety of traversal mechanics from climbing to gliding, making the very act of exploring this fantastical world a joy to complete. Upgrades for the character’s abilities can be picked up along the way, helping you feel more and more powerful as you progress through the main story.

Released in 2022, this title is a hidden gem for fans of open-world games and is surely worth giving a go as part of an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

Forza Horizon 5

Some games are the ultimate celebration of fun, and that’s exactly what Forza Horizon 5 sets out to do for the arcade racing genre. Set in a huge open world rendition of Mexico, players are given complete free roam of the land in a frankly huge array of cars from hot hatches to mud-running 4x4s and souped-up concept cars.

Whether you’re into time trials, 1v1 rival races or traditional wheel-to-wheel action, Forza Horizon 5 is a truly dense racing game that has a bit of something for everyone. It’s easy to get started with, throws new cars and upgrades into the mix at a rapid pace, and is an all-round great time for anyone looking for a casual racer to get stuck into this Christmas.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Last up, I can’t not mention the game that recently swept up almost every category at The Game Awards. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a game for the history books with it perfectly marrying its turn-based combat with a beautifully realised story and world.

You’ll play as a band of characters on a quest to take down the mysterious Paintress who eliminates everyone of a certain age on the same day each year. What ensues is a heartfelt story about family, love, grief, loss, and everything in between.

Even if you’re not usually a fan of traditional JRPGs or turn-based combat, it’s worth giving this title a go on Xbox Game Pass. It’s not usually the sort of game I go for, but 20 hours later it shot its way to the top of my Game of the Year list – along with seemingly everyone else’s this year, too.