Christmas is right around the corner, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members have plenty to celebrate with an array of exciting titles now available for free download.
The holiday spirit is alive and well, as Xbox and EA team up to deliver special gifts for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Between 17 December and 26 December, members can enjoy a lineup of free games and in-game content courtesy of EA Play, starting with the critically acclaimed Battlefield 1, which became available on 17 December.
First launched in 2016, Battlefield 1 takes players back to World War I, offering a gripping single-player campaign and epic multiplayer battles. As the tenth entry in the Battlefield series, it has earned its reputation as one of the best, making it a standout gift for the season.
Following Battlefield 1, Ultimate members can now redeem the Skate 3 - Danny's Hawaiian Dream DLC. This expansion to the beloved 2010 skateboarding game transports players from Port Carverton to the tropical paradise of Hawaii, where they can explore Danny Way’s ultimate skateboarding haven. Packed with original street terrain, flowing skateparks, and Danny’s signature Mega-ramp features, this DLC is a skater’s dream.
As EA’s holiday giveaway continues, more freebies are expected, ranging from EA Sports content to rewards for Apex Legends and Battlefield 2042. There’s truly something for everyone, so be sure to stay updated on the daily offerings through 26 December.
In the spirit of nostalgia, the holidays often bring a desire to revisit gaming classics, and for me, that meant returning to the Halo series after many years. Having fond memories of playing through the franchise as it evolved from the original Xbox to the Xbox Series consoles, I decided to dive back into Halo: Combat Evolved via Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Game Pass. A friend and I planned to relive the series in co-op mode, starting from the very beginning.
This marked my first return to Halo: Combat Evolved in nearly 20 years since I last played it on the original Xbox. While the updated visuals in the Master Chief Collection are commendable and add a polished, modern touch, they couldn’t entirely mask some of the game’s dated design elements. The option to switch between the remastered and original graphics was a fun nostalgic feature, but it quickly became apparent that the gameplay had not aged as gracefully.
What stood out most was how repetitive the levels felt. The endless corridors, similar-looking environments, and overuse of elevators made the experience feel monotonous at times. Despite the charm of battling the Covenant and the Flood, the lack of variety in level design dampened the enjoyment. While it’s clear that Halo: Combat Evolved was groundbreaking in its time, revisiting it today highlighted how far game design has come over the past two decades.
As we enjoy the holiday season, Game Pass Ultimate offers plenty of modern and classic experiences to explore, ensuring there’s something for everyone to dive into. Whether revisiting old favorites or trying new titles, it’s a great time to celebrate gaming.
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