Xbox: My Holiday Playlist

With the silly season upon us, I'm really looking forward to a winding-down period where I can kick back, relax, soak up some sun and surf with good food and memories with family and friends. Oh and some much needed me-time to get my geekery on with comic books, movies, series, board gaming and of course video gaming on my Xbox Series S console. These are my top Xbox Game Pass gaming picks for the next 3 months:

1. Forza Horizon 5

RELEASE DATE: 5 November 2021
DEVELOPER: Playground Games
PUBLISHER: Xbox Game Studios

"Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars."

Mahgawd. Forza Horizon 5 is a visual, jaw-dropping masterpiece. There is just so, so, so much content in this game and the gorgeous Mexico roads make for absolute driving pleasure. A racing sim that allows me to top-end my real-world BMW 2 series M sport onto the virtual Baja landscapes? Fuck, yes!

2. GTA San Andreas

RELEASE DATE: 26 October 2004
DEVELOPER: Rockstar North
PUBLISHER: Rockstar Games

"Five years ago, Carl Johnson escaped from the pressures of life in Los Santos, San Andreas, a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs and corruption. Where filmstars and millionaires do their best to avoid the dealers and gangbangers. Now, it’s the early 90’s. Carl’s got to go home. His mother has been murdered, his family has fallen apart and his childhood friends are all heading towards disaster. On his return to the neighborhood, a couple of corrupt cops frame him for homicide. CJ is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets"

Ok, I gotta admit - I've never played any of the GTA titles. I know, I know...and no, I'm not going to make up some lame excuses as to why this is so. But better late than never yeah? So, time to up my street cred and get with the times.

3. Back 4 Blood

RELEASE DATE: 12 October 2021
DEVELOPER: Turtle Rock Studios
PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Games, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

"Back 4 Blood is a thrilling cooperative first-person shooter from the creators of the critically acclaimed Left 4 Dead franchise. Experience the intense 4 player co-op narrative campaign, competitive multiplayer as human or Ridden, and frenetic gameplay that keeps you in the action."

If you ARE into multiplayer games and/ or have a squad of team mates and a dedicated games night AND enjoy zombie-esque FPSs then this game is for you. If not, give it a hard pass.

4. Halo Infinite

RELEASE DATE: 15 November 2021
DEVELOPER: 343 Industries
PUBLISHER: Xbox Game Studios

"The legendary Halo series returns with the most expansive Master Chief campaign yet and a ground-breaking free to play multiplayer experience. Multiplayer beta available now!"

With super reviews, Halo Infinite looks promising. I haven't gotten to downloading it yet and TBH, I have not played Halo in many moons but the hype around this game has me itchin' for a quick spizz to see what it's all about.

5. Jurassic World Evolution 2

RELEASE DATE: 09 November 2021
DEVELOPER: Frontier Developments
PUBLISHER: Frontier Developments

"Jurassic World Evolution 2 is the much-anticipated sequel to Frontier’s ground-breaking 2018 management simulation, Jurassic World Evolution, offering an all new narrative campaign voiced by cast members from across the Jurassic World film franchise, exciting new features, four engaging game modes, and an expanded roster of awe-inspiring dinosaurs."

A theme-park builder set in Jurassic World universe appeals to my every self. No way I'm giving this a miss.

6. Capcom Arcade Cabinet

RELEASE DATE: 20 February 2013
DEVELOPER: CAPCOM CO., LTD.
PUBLISHER: Capcom

"Capcom's pedigree arcade games are back! Take on players from around the world in score attack and even play together with online co-op! (Only for titles that support this feature.) Check out these classic games, now loaded with a "casual mode" geared towards newcomers and other new features. Try out Black Tiger, 1943 and Avengers!"

7. Alien Isolation

RELEASE DATE: 07 October 2014
DEVELOPER: The Creative Assembly
PUBLISHER: SEGA Europe Ltd

"Discover the true meaning of fear in Alien: Isolation, a survival horror set in an atmosphere of constant dread and mortal danger. Fifteen years after the events of Alien™, Ellen Ripley’s daughter, Amanda enters a desperate battle for survival, on a mission to unravel the truth behind her mother's disappearance."

On my current play list from my Shocktober Halloween post, I'm really enjoying the tense, claustrophobic horror that is Alien Isolation. There are moments in the game that will have you wound up and on the edge of your seat as you try to stay alive from the xenomorphic menace.