May's Game Pass additions include the brilliant Metaphor: ReFantazio and The Division 2
This is a big month for Xbox Game Pass, as there are some real standout titles hitting the service. Upcoming games include the sublime Metaphor ReFantazio , Tales of Kenzera: Zau and The Division 2 , among others.
Let's get to the games. You likely heard a whole lot about Metaphor ReFantazio last year. The JRPG was a bona-fide phenomenon, and it actually grabbed a nomination for game of the year. It also easily made our list of the best games of 2024 . It's developed by Atlus and the game improves on the formula behind the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei franchises in nearly every way. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so.
The characters are great. The dungeons aren't procedurally generated. The world feels alive, with quests and objectives in nearly every nook and cranny. The story is perhaps the biggest reason why the game became such a sensation. It's grounded and feels like it was plucked from today's news, despite being set in a fantasy-laden kingdom. It'll be playable on May 29. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a Metroidvania platformer that wears its heart on its sleeve. The story is extremely emotional and engaging, particularly for this genre. The graphics are lovely and the gameplay is fluid, with plenty of nifty upgrades as you advance. What's not to like? The game arrives on May 22. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so.
Tom Clancy's The Division 2 is something of a hybrid, with plenty of both tactical shooter and RPG mechanics. The game is set in an open world version of Washington DC, which is a pretty cool location. It's online-only, so there's a deep emphasis on multiplayer. It can be played solo, but you have to be connected to the game's servers. It'll be available on May 27.
Other forthcoming games include Spray Paint Simulator (May 29) and Stalker 2 (May 22.) The deckbuilding roguelike Monster Train 2 is available right now.
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Buzz Feed
3 hours ago
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40 Father's Day Gifts He'll Wanna Brag About
A book of dad jokes he'll be able to use to keep everyone cracking up. He'll flip when they see how many more jokes he can add to his bank of corny puns. A beer dispenser that'll convert the natural carbonation in any bottle or can of brewski into micro-foam for enriched aroma and flavaaaa. Dad won't be able to drink a beer without it. A 100 Movies Scratch-Off Poster so he can do his fave activity — movie nights! He'll be able to scratch 'em off after he watches, put stickers on his fave movies, and he'll love being able to always have a good film suggestion. Anddd it'll be even more special if you and the fam join him! A Ralph Lauren T-shirt he'll be able to rock all summer. Classic, and always appreciated. A charcoal grill and smoker so Dad can totally be in his element all summer. Grillin', beer in hand, in his summer dad sandals. This baby features front and side tables with hooks for easy food prep, a temperature gauge, a bottom shelf, and it comes with a cover to protect it from the weather elements. Can you smell the burgers? 😋 And an apron that'll help activate their dad grill powers. Get ready for a whole lot of dad jokes whenever he puts this bad boy on. Badda-bing, the burgers are done. A splurge-y pair of Ray-Ban polarized aviators because the classics never go out of style. These'll be the gift to beat, so tell your siblings they better come to Father's Day with heat. A collection of Spider-Man comics by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. This book has 12 key stories from the first two years of Spider-Man's comics. If Dad loves Marvel or even just comics, he'll flip over these OG Spidey stories. An Xbox Game Pass Membership with hundreds of games he can choose from. He'll be soooo excited, and you may not be able to pull him away from gaming for the rest of the summer. I mean, if buying just one game gets dad hyped up, imagine what he'll do with hundreds of options. A punny Star Wars shirt because yo-da(d) is seriously the best. Now he can go around bragging about how he's the best, and you can brag about how you're his fave kid. A Lego version of the classic Nintendo Entertainment System that'll make him reminisce about how he used to love playing Super Mario Bros and Pac-Man. And best of all — Mario can move around with the little handle on the TV! A gorg tabletop firepit because sitting on the balcony roastin' marshmallows sounds like a vibe dad would be all over. Or he can use this baby indoors. I mean, who doesn't love a campfire? Bring on the s'mores parties! A cordless drill so Dad can get his Bob the Builder on. It comes with a charger so when it dies, Dad doesn't have to go out and buy new batteries. And a magnetic tool wristband that'll be what Dad has been missing his entire life. It'll keep everything Dad needs right at hand — literally! A beer-making kit so dad can brew his own beer and show 'em off to everyone he knows. You know that's exactly what he's gonna do, too! He'll be able to brew up a batch in only 30 minutes, let it ferment for 10–14 days, and then 7–14 days later, he'll be able to gulp it down. A beard trimmings catcher he'll totally love because that means no more hair all over the bathroom sink and counters! Yes, yes, the heavens are singing. Kobe Bryant's "Mamba Mentality" book so Dad can take a deep dive into the GOAT's knowledge and understanding of basketball. Dad will get an inside look at Kobe's approach to prepare mentally and physically to excel at basketball, details about specific plays and match-ups from his career, and some awesome photographs. A copy of Murdle, Volume 1 that'll have dad spending his days feeling like a real deal Sherlock Holmes. If dad feels like he was a detective in a past life, get him this fun, clever activity book so he can put his skills to the test and solve these murder mystery-themed logic puzzles. Cue the Law & Order: SVU *dun-dun* sound. A soooo cool personalized plaque for your Star Wars-lovin' pops. Something to add to his little man cave is always a good gift. A glass that'll hold dad's beer and give him a chuckle whenever he takes a sip. He'll pull this cup out anytime he wants to send a little shady message that you're getting on his last and final nerve. A super sweet little personalized book for any new father in your life. The book is from baby to Dad, thanking him for what an incredible papa he is, so don't be surprised if he tears up a bit. Or a fill-in-the-blank What I Love About Dad book that'll for sure get the waterworks going. Just fill in each line, and boom, you have a suuuuper thoughtful gift that he'll absolutely cherish forever. A potty putter for those days dads taking exxxtra long in the bathroom. He'll def have a good laugh at this, and if he loves to golf, he'll enjoy having something to do while, uh, handling his business. A sexy Skeletor dry-erase board handmade with acrylic and wooden layers. It comes with a little stand and Dad can write the Wi-Fi password on it or funny little messages that'll have everyone ~dying~ of laughter — at both Skeletor and the beloved corny dad jokes. A Canon EOS Rebel T7 camera that'll definitely get you that *favorite kid* spot. This camera takes pics that are stunningly flawless, perfect if dad is into photography. Promising review: "I'm in love with the camera and I haven't even learned every in and out yet. It's an exceptional beginner camera, and I'm excited to start my career with it. It comes with a strap, lens, lens cover, battery, and battery charger. I've only had to charge the battery once so far, and I've had the camera for about a week and have used it almost every day. The image quality is better than I expected. The only things I have trouble with are the zoom and night quality, which can be solved with another lens and a tripod!" —Lacie HarrisGet it from Amazon for $479+ (available in two styles). Or a 10-in-1 phone camera lens kit for all of dad's photography aspirations and needs. The photo quality is soooo crisp, and this seems like it'd be hundreds of dollars, right? Wrong, under $30, honeyyyy. A game that combines dad's favorite things — games and corny dad jokes. And you KNOW Pops is gonna beat everyone at this one because he specializes in good dad jokes. A 44-piece Mjölnir toolbox because dad's always wanted to know if he was worthy of lifting Thor's hammer, and this is the closest he can get. I mean, a regular toolbox is cool, but this bad boy is sickkkk. Plus, he can tell everyone hands off because only dad, Thor, and Steve Rogers can pick this baby up. And a Mjölnir bottle opener, perfect for opening dad's cold Blue Moon, god of thunder-style. Bring on the Marvel dad jokes. An instant-read long probe meat thermometer with a handy digital readout so he neverrrr has to wonder *is it cooked all the way through?* Oh, and batteries are included! A portable espresso maker that uses Nespresso pods so Dad can have his morning coffee wherever and whenever he wants. This'll have Dad feeling like a total GOD among mortals. A pair of suuuuuper cool BPA-free, reusable glowing chopsticks for your Jedi mind trickin' dad. They have eight different LED color modes so he can choose from the dark side, the light side, and anything in between. May the yummy food be with him. An adjustable wicker cooler that doubles as a little table and somewhere to keep dad's drinks cool. Like a mullet, business on top, party on the bottom. A personalized oak whiskey barrel so dad can get all fancy with his fave evening cocktail. He'll LOVE getting to host and show off this little baby. A 187-piece fishing accessories kit for dad's summer fishing trip. Everything he needs right in this little box, andddd he won't run out too quickly! An AirFly Pro wireless transmitter so dad can connect his wireless earbuds to the plane's entertainment system and rewatch The Office for the 60th time. Perfect for the dad who loves/needs a vacay. A durable, Shark Tank–featured Rumpl outdoor blanket that's easy to travel with and will be on Dad's camping *must-pack* list. It's made with weatherproof ripstop polyester fabric, and after all the s'mores and outdoor fun, Dad can throw this baby in the washer and dryer! A variety of sunflower seeds so Dad can show off his green thumb and brag about his beautiful garden. You may also need to get dad an award for *best garden in the neighborhood*. A hilarious ransom note game Dad'll wanna play allllll the time. And for good reason — it's easy to learn and will bring on the belly laughs. A wireless endoscope gadget for his toolbox. It has an itty bitty camera on the end, so he can see exactly what's going on with the AC while he tries to fix it. Your dad when anyone compliments him on the beer he made himself: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
CNET
4 days ago
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Have an Xbox? You Can Play Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 for Free This Weekend
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The Verge
5 days ago
- The Verge
Posted May 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM EDT 0 Comments
Free Zombies. Xbox Free Play Days weekend runs from today through Sunday, June 1st, with access to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (MP and Zombies only), no Game Pass membership required. For those with access to at least Game Pass Core, you can also play RK: Survival Ascended, Football Manager 2024, and Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game. Meanwhile, The Division 2 is also available with no paid membership through June 3rd.
