Xbox has hit a rough patch lately. Microsoft is bringing some of its marquee franchises to PlayStation (yes, that includes Master Chief), Valve’s platform is encroaching on console territory, and Microsoft has increased Game Pass Ultimate from $20 to $30 a month. Even if Game Pass feels less like the unbeatable bargain it once was, it still offers hundreds of titles worth digging into during a weekend marathon.
Below are this week’s picks: an award-winning indie, a compelling single-player alternative to the latest COD release, and a fighting game every comic-book fan should try.
Balatro
I used to tune out most roguelikes as a passing trend for players chasing brutal difficulty, but Balatro won me over. Its retro charm and poker-inspired mechanics drew me in, and the deeper I played the more I appreciated its elegant design. You’ll find yourself engineering absurd hands — from sneaky high-card plays to contrived five-of-a-kinds — by tweaking your deck and exploiting synergies. There’s a real thrill in discovering new tactics through experimentation and repetition.
Built by a solo developer and blown up into a phenomenon, Balatro has sold over seven million copies since its 2024 release and earned nominations and wins at major awards shows for Best Indie and Best Debut. It’s easy to pick up for short sessions, yet richly layered enough to absorb entire flights or long evenings when you get into a winning groove. —Jen Glennon
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Campaigns in the Call of Duty series are uneven, but Black Ops 6 delivers one of the franchise’s most consistent single-player experiences. It revisits familiar blockbuster set pieces — airports, deserts, secret facilities — yet stands out when it leans into creative twists: a political-gala stealth sequence, a surreal mission driven by hallucinatory effects, and a surprisingly open, Far-Cry-like sandbox chapter. The campaign subverts expectations and even slips in a few puzzles along the way. If you want a polished, narrative-driven shooter, Black Ops 6 remains an excellent choice, while the newest entry in the series prioritizes multiplayer. —Ari Notis
Injustice 2
According to a report from TheWrap, Brainiac is slated to be the antagonist in James Gunn’s upcoming DCU film Man of Tomorrow. The character has long been a major presence across comics, TV, and video games, and one of the clearest demonstrations of his menace appears in 2017’s Injustice 2.
Injustice 2 unfolds on an alternate Earth where familiar heroes and villains clash in high-stakes battles — Batman against a tyrannical Superman, among others. NetherRealm Studios brings its knack for cinematic storytelling to the fighting-game format, pairing dramatic narrative beats with visceral combat. Pulling off a devastating combo in this game is immensely satisfying, and the roster, stage variety, and narrative twists make it a must-play for fans of superhero drama and competitive brawling. —Austin Manchester
Source: Polygon
