Microsoft makes Xbox Game Pass even better. Because in addition to the already good offer of over 100 free games, 172 games from the Game Pass offer will soon be playable via cloud gaming as a stream on Android mobile devices. We at MeinMMO show you which games are most worthwhile for MMO fans.
What is Xbox Cloud Gaming? This refers to Microsoft’s streaming service for games. The service was recently available in beta under the name “Project xCloud”. Upon launch, the streaming service was integrated into the Xbox Game Pass.
With cloud gaming, you can play games via data stream. So you no longer need to have games locally on your hard drive and also do not need any great gaming hardware.
The computing power is instead provided by server farms and streamed to your devices via the internet. So you only need a strong internet connection (at least 10 MBit/s), then you can theoretically play titles like Black Desert Online in great style even on weak devices.
Where does cloud gaming run? Unlike the similar streaming service Google Stadia, Xbox Cloud Gaming will initially only be available on Android devices. So you can only play the games from the Game Pass on your mobile device. Those who want to play on PC or Xbox still need a local installation.
However, Microsoft may still unlock cloud gaming for iOS as well as PC and Xbox users in the future.
When does it start? Starting from September 15, 2020, all customers who have subscribed to the Ultimate Edition of Xbox Game Pass can start with cloud gaming.
What accessories do I need? Since most games do not support touch screens, you need to connect a controller via USB or Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet to use cloud gaming.
172 games at the launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming
These games are available at launch: The launch lineup for cloud gaming is impressive, as it includes more than 170 titles from the current Game Pass offer. Highlights include
- A Plague Tale: Innocence
- Batman: Arkham Knight
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection
- Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
- Mortal Kombat X
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- No Man’s Sky
- Gears of War 5
- DiRT 4
- Wasteland 3
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Ori and the Blind Forest
- NieR:Automata
- Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite
- or Pillars of Eternity: Complete Edition
A complete overview of the games playable via cloud can be found in the official “Xbox Game Pass” library. Set the filter to “Cloud capable” for that.
10 Top Titles for MMO and Multiplayer Fans from Cloud Gaming
Among the more than 170 titles, we have picked out 10 top games from the MMO and co-op genre for you.
ARK: Survival Evolved
What is it? Here you get a massive survival MMO where you end up stranded in a lonely land inhabited by many dangerous dinosaurs and other creatures. You must survive there, build an existence, and make nature submit to you.
Why is it interesting? The big highlight of ARK is of course the dinosaurs. Because here you can not only beat them and eat them, but also catch and tame them. For that, you need to feed and train the dinosaurs. If you succeed, you can ride into battle on a heavily armored T-Rex and trample the structures of other players.
Black Desert Online
What is it? Black Desert Online is a beautiful sandbox MMORPG from Asia. You start as a penniless adventurer and can express yourself freely in the game. Key points of the game are PvP battles, world exploration, and a strong economy where you can establish a trade empire.
Why is it interesting? Black Desert Online has beautiful graphics and an extremely detailed character editor. Therefore, if you want to build a dream hero, you are in the right place. The game also offers a dynamic action combat system and numerous classes that play quite differently.
Dead by Daylight
What is it? Dead by Daylight is an asymmetric PvP survival game. Here one player takes on the role of a gruesome serial killer. The other players are more or less helpless “survivors” who must hide from the killer and find a way out of a nightmare world.
Why is it interesting? Dead by Daylight offers a large selection of killers, some of whom are known horror characters from pop culture. Among them are the old scar face Freddy Krueger or the chainsaw killer from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. However, there are also successful original creations from the developers, including a truly grotesque horror clown or a dismembered samurai daughter.
Destiny 2 (from September 22)
What is it? Destiny 2 is a popular sci-fi shooter that continues to evolve towards an action MMO. As a powerful “Guardian”, you wield the power of light and are the last bastion of humanity against all sorts of alien creatures that have overrun our solar system in the distant future. Together with other Guardians, you blast through endless hordes of aliens as a mighty Titan, swift Hunter, or magic-wielding Warlock.
Why is it interesting? Destiny 2 has many highlights to offer: the excellent gunplay is just as important as a cool universe, numerous group contents such as raids, or many cool weapons. And then there’s the motivating loot mechanic that continuously sends you back into the fray. Because that’s the only way to get more powerful weapons and gear, making the alien hunt even more fun.
Fallout 76
What is it? With Fallout 76, the popular Fallout series from Bethesda enters the MMO genre. You get a survival MMO in the post-apocalyptic world of the Fallout universe. The setting is the Appalachians on the east coast of the USA. Together with other players, you explore the contaminated world, rebuild everything, or destroy it for good.
Why is it interesting? Fallout 76 thrives mainly on Fallout charm and the many details and Easter eggs that fans of the series can constantly discover. Furthermore, since the Wastelanders update, there are finally NPCs in the world, and you can experience more role-playing feel again.
Forza Horizon 4
What is it? Forza Horizon 4 is an open-world racing game. Here, you drive around in a virtual recreation of Great Britain and can use a variety of vehicles and game modes.
Why is it interesting? The highlight of the game is clearly the large shared open world in which you constantly meet other players. Up to 72 players can drive around together like this. Also cool: In the game, the seasons change dynamically, which sometimes drastically alters the game feel.
No Man’s Sky
What is it? With No Man’s Sky, you get an open-world space game where you can explore a seemingly endless universe of 18 trillion worlds. You discover procedurally generated worlds and can encounter strange animals, plants, or aliens there.
Why is it interesting? No Man’s Sky was recently updated with several updates that finally made it a full-fledged MMO in which you also increasingly encounter other players. Plus, you can now also experience the variety of foreign worlds and aliens in VR.
Remnant: From the Ashes
What is it? Remnant: From the Ashes is a dark action-adventure with RPG elements. Humanity has been almost eradicated by disgusting plant monsters. The last remnants are hiding underground and desperately trying to survive.
Why is it interesting? As one of the last fighters of humanity, it is up to you to clear the plants. The game relies on demanding battles reminiscent of the legendary Souls games. You can also play Remnant in co-op with friends. So if you’re looking for a gripping challenge along with an atmospheric story and a truly unusual setting, this is the place for you.
Sea of Thieves
What is it? Sea of Thieves is a colorful pirate MMO. As a buccaneer, you set sail alone or with other players and hijack ships, steal treasures, or explore islands. During this, you can engage in all sorts of shenanigans, such as shooting yourself out of cannons, playing spooky music, or getting drunk and then throwing up.
Why is it interesting? Sea of Thieves is a wonderfully wacky multiplayer spectacle that is simply incredibly fun to play with a few good friends. So if you’ve always wanted to wreak havoc on the high seas as a chaotic crew and cause lots of mischief, then you can’t go wrong here and should definitely check out Sea of Thieves.
The Elder Scrolls Online
What is it? The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is a large MMORPG in the world of the Elder Scrolls games like Skyrim or Oblivion. Currently, almost the entire world of Tamriel is in the game, and you can explore numerous areas and complete exciting quests.
Why is it interesting? ESO offers a plethora of quests, dungeons, raids, and stories to experience. Additionally, the game has been significantly expanded multiple times, including areas in the land of the cat people. And even popular locations from Skyrim are now in the game. Therefore, if you’re looking for a vibrant world to immerse yourself in, where you can have hundreds of hours of fun, you should take a closer look at ESO.
So much for the offerings of cloud gaming for MMO fans. Since cloud gaming is part of Xbox Game Pass, however, you have many more games available. The offer will become even more attractive, especially after the planned inclusion of EA games in the Game Pass. Therefore, our MeinMMO author Leya Jankowski will soon switch from Sony to Microsoft.
