5 Best Adventure Games on Xbox Game Pass (September 2023)

In the ever-evolving gaming world, access to a wide array of titles has never been more important. Well, good news: Xbox Game Pass has got you covered. The service has an extensive game library that caters to all your tastes and preferences. Whether you're an action-adventure enthusiast, a strategy maestro, or a fan of multiplayer mayhem, Xbox Game Pass has something for everyone. 

If you have an unquenchable thirst for adventure, an Xbox Game Pass subscription is your key to unlocking a treasure trove at no cost. But which games should you add to your list? We've got you covered. Here are the five best adventure games on Xbox Game Pass to add to your collection.

5. A Short Hike

They say tiny treasures pack a big punch, and the best things come in small sizes. A Short Hike is a short game but a sweet epistle to adventure lovers. There's a certain thrill to abandoning a game's main quest and diving deep into side quests. Mostly, it's for rewarding bonuses, such as adding a skill or grabbing a few coins. But A Short Hike has a different approach. It reminds you of the small joys of exploring a beautiful terrain and being friendly to strangers.

Oddly enough, the game has one primary objective. Playing as Clair, a little bird, you must scale higher ground to find a mobile signal. But there's one challenge: you can't fly. The game sets you off on an exciting adventure to achieve your objective. To get airborne, you need to collect Golden Feathers. But your quest to collect the feathers soon becomes entangled in a web of diversions. 

Thankfully, the diversions add to your odyssey. The muddy and hilly terrains are scenic, coming to life in a semi-isometric 3D world. The visuals are nothing short of impeccable, and the soothing music complements your every action (idyllic tunes when soaring through the skies and triumphant music when unlocking rewards). Although the game is only 2 hours long, it's a worthwhile adventure that reminds you of the simple joys. The best part is you don't have to break the bank for this one; the price of admission is an Xbox Game Pass.

4. Celeste

Adventure games are a bit like reading a book. They're not just about going on a journey but also about growing up and finding yourself. Celeste is an excellent example of this. It's a challenging game where you jump and climb a lot, but underneath that, it's a touching story about mental health. It really gets to the heart of the matter and makes you feel something deep.

Moreover, you play as Madeline, a woman with an insatiable appetite for climbing a mountain to escape the pressures of life. Despite numerous warnings against her objective, Madeline remains fixated on her goal to scale the mountain's summit. The game's theme navigates on the modern themes that shape today's life, offering an insightful look at ‘keeping your eye on the ball'. 

Don't be fooled by the game's simple visuals. The 2D platformer is as challenging as it is rewarding. You'll occasionally find yourself trying hard to climb or jump and forget about running out of oxygen. There's a beauty to the game's balance of progression and stretching yourself thin. That aside, Celeste starts as a slow game and grows more complex as you develop new skills. It's the deal adventure game for players looking to explore challenging gameplay dipped in a complex subject. 

3. Grand Theft Auto V

Making it back to Xbox is the grandfather of street crime, Grand Theft Auto V. The Grand Theft Auto series is notoriously famous for its crime career path. Starting off as a low-rank gangster, you perform various heists and robberies to gain street cred and become a hardened criminal. The series has evolved remarkably, with each new installment pushing the boundaries of gaming excellence. From its humble beginnings as a top-down crime simulator, the series has catapulted into one of the of open-world masterpieces.

GTA V is the series' fifteenth overall installment, set in a fictional San Andrea. The story centers on three protagonists: Trevor Philips, Frank Clinton, and Michael De Santa. The game's open world is riddled with greed, corruption, hypocrisy, and abuse of power- a grand take on today's modern society. 

Furthermore, GTA V's missions are like exciting episodes in a big action movie. You get to go on all sorts of wild adventures. Sometimes, you're speeding through the city in crazy car chases; other times, you're sneaking into secret places. Plus, the big bank heists add to the thrill. These missions are packed with action and funny moments. It's like being in your own action movie, and it's a big part of what makes GTA V so much fun to play.

2. Immortals Fenyx Rising

Ubisoft is like the wizard of making awesome adventure games in huge, open worlds with lots of cool stuff to do. They've proven this with games like Valhalla, Origins, and Odyssey, which were all fantastic. And now, with Immortals Fenyx Rising, they've done it again, creating another epic adventure that's just as great.

Additionally, Immortals Fenyx Rising soars above the clouds, drawing inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The game's charming story is centered on Greek mythology in an artful style that adds flair to your adventure. Plus, the storyline unfolds from the perspective of an incarcerated Prometheus to Zeus. Filled with banter, the narration gives life to your mission as the protagonist, Fenyx. Fenyx is on a quest to rescue his brother by stopping the malevolent Typhon.

Moreover, a daunting journey is only complete with a companion. You get an insightful companion, Phosphor, a bird who can pinpoint essential locations on the map. Also, rifts are an excellent means of transporting you to platforming challenges that add to your grand adventures. 

1. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Calling all Jedi's. Xbox Game Pass has the right adventure for you in a galaxy, far, far away. Only this time, you'll be flying LEGOS. The LEGO universe has teamed up with different epic stories, turning those somber movie plots into pure gaming delight.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga takes you through three intriguing Skywalker trilogies. The game allows you to dive into the three stories as you please. But that's not the game's only selling point. The remarkable visuals are infused with realism thanks to the game's new close-up perspective. Moreover, the occasional side gags stick to the series' witty banter that made it ever so successful.

Furthermore, the game's light-hearted puzzles bring forth the essence of teamwork. You get to learn more about your party member's skills. Plus, the combat is soft and adaptable. Aside from lightsabers, melee attacks, and basters, your characters get adequate health reserves to see you through most encounters. 

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our best adventure games on Xbox Game Pass? Are there more adventure games we should know about? Let us know over on our socials here.