When I’m thinking of which title to put as the winner for these articles, it’s usually immediately apparent. I’ll think of games I’ve played, and one game will jump out at me as being the best. H was no different, I’ve recently been playing a lot of one particular game, and I thought to myself “right, that’s gonna be the easiest choice of the series, it’s an obvious answer”. But when I was scrolling through the library to find others to mention, I realised I’d forgotten some really stellar titles. My overall winner has still stayed the same, but it’s had some fierce competition. So before I reveal the best Xbox Game Pass game beginning with H, let’s look at some other great games.
The Contenders
Okay, I’m just going to rip the plaster off. Halo didn’t come first. But it did come pretty darn close. I’m not usually one for FPS games, but I’ll make an exception for this. Halo: The Masterchief Collection is absolutely worth giving a go. Featuring the first 4 main series Halo games, as well as Reach and ODST, this collection is the absolute must-play for any fans of the FPS genre, or even just people looking for someone different. It features a rich story, as well as unique weapons and game modes. Staying with the Halo franchise, if strategy games are more your thing, then Halo Wars 2 could be for you. Command your own units and take down the enemy fleet in this immersive RTS experience.
I remember when I first saw Hollow Knight. I thought how charming and cute the graphics looked. Being a fan of platformers, I thought it would be a quick, fun experience. Boy, was I mistaken. Hollow Knight remains the single toughest game I’ve completed. It took me nearly 50 hours to finish the main game, and 8 of those hours were spent on a single boss fight. The platforming elements are challenging but doable, but the fights are deadly! You’ll be pushing your skills to their limits, and I definitely credit Hollow Knight for making me a better gamer. Any boss I face in other games is child’s play compared to Hornet Sentinel. The artwork in this game is gorgeous, the lore is compelling, the mechanics are genius, and the gameplay is incredible.
Honourable mention also has to go to Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, which although I’ve never played myself, looked brilliant when I saw other play it. However, the best Xbox Game Pass game beginning with H is…
Hades
I remember watching The Game Awards 2020 and Hades just absolutely sweeping. I hadn’t played it at the time, and made a mental note that I should get around to it. So when I saw it was getting added to Game Pass back in August, I was hyped. I eagerly awaited its download, unsure exactly what to expect, but excited to understand why other people loved it so much. And I totally get it, because this game is phenomenal.
I’d had a bit of experience with roguelikes from games like Undermine and Slay the Spire. However, I hadn’t really played dungeon crawlers, and I was worried that my inexperience would be a real barrier for me. However, I ended up adapting really quickly. There are only really 4 moves to use in battle, and combining them in a tactical way is what’ll keep you alive. It’s a little like button-mashing, but there needs to be reason to it, and you’ll develop quick reflexes over time.
However, my favourite parts of Hades, and the thing that makes it so special, is all the stuff outside of battles. To say the story is incredible is an understatement. The sheer volume of dialogue is unbelievable. I’ve put well over 30 hours into the game, and not once have any characters repeated a single line. Every time I talk to them, they say something new. Not only that, but their interactions are based on progression, and they’ll mention specific events from your previous runs. The gods offer you unique boons, and cultivating a good build is essential for a winning run. You can also gift nectar to NPCs to earn keepsakes which offer special effects during a run. This game really has everything.
Overall
I could say so much more about the wonderful game that is Hades, but unfortunately I’m limited by space. I can say with certainty that not only is Hades the best Xbox Game Pass game beginning with H, it’s one of the best games in the entire library. Seriously though, download it now and give it a go, you won’t regret it! Check out the other titles I mentioned too, they’re all wonderful.
How about you, what’s your favourite H game on Game Pass? Join the discussion over in our Facebook community! And if you enjoyed this article, please consider supporting the site by donating!
