Xbox Game Pass is bolstering its library with another formidable wave of titles this month. Leading the charge for March is Absolum, a standout action experience that earned critical acclaim as one of the premier releases of the past year.
Crafted by the collaborative efforts of Guard Crush Games and Supamonks, Absolum serves as a high-octane fusion of side-scrolling brawlers and roguelike progression. It expertly bridges the gap between nostalgic arcade aesthetics and contemporary design. The combat system offers surprising depth, empowering players to orchestrate a symphony of destruction using a sophisticated array of melee techniques and elemental masteries.
“It is a masterclass in retro elegance,” noted our review. “The game encourages players to weave basic strikes with magical abilities to maintain massive combo counts. Beneath the surface lies a deceptively technical engine, featuring recovery-based punish windows and complex aerial maneuvers that elevate the experience to the level of a high-tier fighting game.”
The sentiment is shared across the industry; Absolum currently maintains a stellar 86 critic average on OpenCritic alongside a 90% player approval rating. Previously confined to the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and PC, Absolum finally makes its debut on Xbox Series X and Game Pass on March 25.
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It has been an exceptional year for fans of high-intensity combat and precision gameplay.
Also joining the subscription service is 2019’s Disco Elysium, a narrative-heavy RPG that has left an indelible mark on the genre. Players step into the shoes of a troubled detective tasked with solving a homicide while navigating the fog of his own amnesia. The game’s hallmark is its absolute freedom of choice, allowing you to mold the protagonist into anything from a noble hero to a complete disaster. Our original review highlighted its brilliance: “The interplay of the game’s internal systems creates a pure role-playing journey that feels remarkably unique. Failure never feels like a dead end; instead, it pushes the narrative toward even more fascinating and unexpected outcomes.” You can dive into this existential mystery on Game Pass starting March 19.
The remainder of March and the beginning of April are packed with additions across various tiers. Here is the upcoming schedule for the service:
- DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party (Cloud, Series X, PC) — Available Today
- South of Midnight (Cloud, Console, PC) — March 18
- The Alters (Cloud, Series X, PC) — March 18
- Disco Elysium (Cloud, Series X, PC) — March 19
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Cloud, Console, PC) — March 24
- Absolum (Cloud, Series X, PC) — March 25
- Nova Roma (Game Preview) (PC) — March 26
- The Long Dark (Cloud, Console, PC) — March 30
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (Cloud, Console, PC) — March 31
- Barbie Horse Trails (Cloud, Console, PC) — April 2
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Cloud, Series X, PC) — April 2
- Final Fantasy IV (Cloud, Series X, PC) — April 7
While the library grows, a few titles are scheduled to depart on March 31:
- Peppa Pig World Adventures (Cloud, Console, PC)
- Mad Streets (Cloud, Console, PC)
This mid-month surge follows an already impressive start to March, which saw heavy hitters like Cyberpunk 2077 and Planet of Lana 2 join the rotation.
Source: Polygon
