Quick Summary
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl leads the Game Pass titles being added over the next couple of weeks.
It's taken 14 years to get to us, but is finally here!
Xbox Game Pass subscribers are getting more than one big treat this month, with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 set to be joined by one of the most eagerly-anticipated role playing games of all time.
The latest Flight Sim hit the service today, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members able to download and play it on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and respectively now. And, as of tomorrow, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will also be part of the Game Pass library.
The RPG has had a lengthy journey to get here too, with a sequel first being announced in 2010. That version was eventually cancelled before reemerging in 2018 for an expected release in 2022.
Sadly though, Ukrainian studio GSC Game World had to pause development when Russia invaded its homeland. This led to some of the team having to flee their homes, while others joined Ukraine's armed forces to fight the aggressors.
However, the game continued in development after GSC Game World moved the operation to the Czech Republic, resulting in the final version released to be released on Game Pass on 20 November 2024.
As with its predecessors, it is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland and is played in first-person. It is part shooter, part survival, and part role-player as you make your way across the dangerous terrain to the centre of Chornobyl,
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl will also be available to play using Xbox Cloud Gaming on Samsung TVs, Fire TV Sticks and mobile, for those with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Also coming to Xbox Game Pass from tomorrow (20 November) are Little Kitty, Big City and PlateUp!
Nine Sols will be added on 26 November, while Aliens: Dark Descent will follow the next day.
Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.
Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.
-
Scrap long workouts — this 20-minute session helps build muscle and strength all over
Don’t want to head to the gym either? You can do this workout from the comfort of your home
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
Google Wallet could get a useful upgrade for organisation in the near future
Finding things in your Google Wallet is going to be even easier soon
By Sam Cross Published
-
How to watch the new Xbox Games Showcase – Developer_Direct returns
Xbox will host a new Developer_Direct soon, where we'll get deep dives on forthcoming games – here's how to watch it live
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Xbox Game Pass getting one of the best RPGs of all time for free
See how it all began
By Rik Henderson Published
-
LG TV owners getting a major free upgrade that means they'll never have to own a console again
Xbox Game Pass is coming to LG TVs
By Rik Henderson Published
-
5 best Xbox Game Pass games to download first on Xbox Series X/S
Here are our picks of the Xbox Game Pass library to get you started
By Rik Henderson Published
-
5 best fantasy games coming in 2025 and beyond
If you love swords and sorcery then these five upcoming games need to be on your wishlist
By Rik Henderson Published
-
5 best sci-fi games coming in 2025 and beyond
Science fiction was a big topic during The Game Awards 2024 – here are five upcoming games to put on your wishlist
By Rik Henderson Last updated
-
5 reasons why Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is my favourite Xbox game of 2024
Seamlessly combines multiple game types into the one, superbly fun adventure
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Xbox Game Pass getting one of the most eagerly-anticipated games of 2024 in just a few days
Dah-dee-dah-dah. dah-dee-dum!
By Rik Henderson Published