Xbox: What's new in 2022

2022 is off to a buzzing start for all Xbox gamers with the BIG news that Microsoft has acquired Activision Blizzard! This means that the creative teams behind the awesome big hitters such as Warcraft, Starcraft, Diablo, Call of Duty, Tony Hawk and err... Candy Crush will now be relocating to team Xbox. Which is fantastic news for all Xbox and Game Pass subscribers.

That said, there are already some amazing new offerings on Game Pass. Here's what lifeofUz has been playing:

1. Aliens: Fireteam Elite

GENRE: Action, RPG
DEVELOPER: Cold Iron Studios
PUBLISHER: Cold Iron Studios, Focus Home Interactive
RELEASE DATE: 24 Aug, 2021

Set in the iconic Alien universe, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a cooperative third-person survival shooter that drops your fireteam of hardened marines into a desperate fight to contain the evolving Xenomorph threat.

Face off against waves of terrifying Xenomorph and Weyland-Yutani Synthetic foes alongside two players or AI teammates, as you and your fireteam desperately fight your way through four unique campaigns that introduce new storylines to the Alien universe. Create and customize your own Colonial Marine, choosing from an extensive variety of classes, weapons, gear and perks, battling overwhelming odds in this heart-pounding survival shooter experience.

Our go-to multiplayer game at the moment is loads of fun, relatively easy to pick and oozing with xenomorph acid! Whether you're a fan on Aliens or not, this game is a great 3rd person multiplayer shooter.

2. Mass Effect Legendary Edition

GENRE: SciFi Action, RPG
DEVELOPER: BioWare
PUBLISHER: Electronic Arts
RELEASE DATE: 14 May, 2022

One person is all that stands between humanity and the greatest threat it’s ever faced. Relive the legend of Commander Shepard in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy with the Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition. Includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors and packs — remastered and optimized for 4K Ultra HD.

Experience an amazingly rich and detailed universe where your decisions have profound consequences on the action and the outcome.

Mass Effect was my very first Xbox 360 game and is still my favorite sci-fi action RPG of all time. So, with enhanced graphics, more DLC and loads more content and available on Gamepass, there was NO WAY I was going to pass this up!

3. Forza Horizon 5

GENRE: Racing, Open World, Adventure
DEVELOPER: Playground Games
PUBLISHER: Xbox Game Studios
RELEASE DATE: 9 Nov, 2021

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. Begin Your Horizon Adventure today and add to your Wishlist!

Forza is still pretty much rocking my racing and gaming adrenaline needs. From racing to the top of an active Volcano to taking the Beemer down for a sunset drive along the beach, this game just has that awesome drive-it feel!

4. Halo Infinite

GENRE: FPS, Free to Play, Shooter, Multiplayer, Action
DEVELOPER: 343 Industries
PUBLISHER: Xbox Game Studios
RELEASE DATE: 15 Nov, 2021

When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring. To experience the campaign, purchase Halo Infinite (Campaign).

I'm still playing through the hugely immersive campaign and having loads of fun discovering the joys of Halo again. This game is going to stick around for a while still!