Overall, the beginning of 2024 has been quite promising for Xbox Game Pass. While there haven't been numerous high-profile day-one AAA releases, the service has introduced a range of compelling titles over the past couple of months. These include well-known launches like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Persona 3 Reload, as well as indie gems such as Turnip Boy Robs a Bank and Palworld.
However, the momentum of Xbox Game Pass seems to have slowed down a bit this month. Apart from Persona 3 Reload, February's lineup appears somewhat lacking in major releases, with games like Train Sim World 4, A Little to the Left, PlateUp!, and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night taking the spotlight. While these games hold their own appeal, they do not quite match the blockbuster hits that have been the cornerstone of Xbox Game Pass for the past seven months. Nonetheless, amidst the February Game Pass offerings, one game stands out and its inclusion in this month's lineup could pave the way for an exciting new trend for Xbox Game Pass.
Resident Evil 3 Could Set an Exciting New Trend for Xbox Game Pass
Resident Evil 3's Xbox Game Pass Release Has Been Timed Perfectly
Last month, Resident Evil 2 Remake was added to Xbox Game Pass, fulfilling the long-standing request of fans for its inclusion in the service. Initially released in 2019, Resident Evil 2 Remake continues to be widely acclaimed as one of the greatest survival horror games of all time, currently holding a Metacritic score of 91 and setting the benchmark for video game remakes.
While dedicated Resident Evil enthusiasts may have played through Resident Evil 2 Remake multiple times, its recent arrival on Xbox Game Pass opens it up to a much broader audience who may have avoided the remake over the past five years. Although precise statistics are not yet available, it is highly likely that the release of Resident Evil 2 Remake on Xbox Game Pass attracted a significant number of new fans. Now, these newcomers do not have to wait long before experiencing the next installment in this beloved survival horror franchise.
Scheduled to debut on February 13, Resident Evil 3 Remake will join Xbox Game Pass just under a month after its predecessor. While Resident Evil 3 Remake may not enjoy the same level of acclaim and adoration as other entries in the franchise, its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass goes a long way in addressing many of the game's major criticisms concerning length and value. For those who have recently completed Resident Evil 2 Remake for the first time, the opportunity to seamlessly transition to the sequel is a genuine delight and a release strategy that would be wonderful to see repeated in future Xbox Game Pass offerings.
Resident Evil 3 Might Be The First In a New Xbox Game Pass Strategy
While it is not uncommon for sequels to join their predecessors on Xbox Game Pass, such additions often occur months after the original game's inclusion, or even years later in some instances. Rarely do multiple entries of a franchise arrive on Xbox Game Pass in close succession, except during significant events like Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda or the simultaneous release of all the Yakuza games on Game Pass in July 2022.
The appearance of Resident Evil 3 Remake on Xbox Game Pass is a notable departure from the norm, following its predecessor by just one month. It would be highly appealing to witness a new trend emerge within Xbox Game Pass, where a major franchise entry debuts one month, and if received positively by fans, the subsequent entry arrives the following month, capitalizing on the newfound excitement surrounding the series and allowing fans to immerse themselves in the franchise without incurring additional costs.