Game Pass or Pass

Play Tested
  • 4.5 (23)
  • VIDEO GAMES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Xbox Game Pass is one of the best values for gamers on Xbox and on PC. But not every game is worth your time. On the Game Pass or Pass Podcast, we tell you which games you should download and which games you should pass on by

  1. PowerWash Simulator 2, Free Soap for Everyone!

    NOV 27

    PowerWash Simulator 2, Free Soap for Everyone!

    This week we dive into PowerWash Simulator 2, the long-anticipated sequel that finally launched in October 2025 and arrived day-one on Xbox Game Pass. We explore whether this follow-up keeps the relaxing magic of the first game or if it leans too heavily on the formula. In this episode, we break down: How the core loop evolves across 38 full jobs throughout Caldera County, with multi-stage tasks and larger, more complex environments The expanded toolset: adjustable nozzles, surface cleaners, scissor lifts, and abseiling gear that add depth without overcomplicating the “power wash zen” the series is known for Major multiplayer upgrades, including cross-play co-op, shared campaign progress, and split-screen local options The new customizable “home base” that lets you decorate, store gear, and personalize your space Long-term support and whether the game feels built for regular content drops, DLC, and replay value Then we ask the real question: does PowerWash Simulator 2 offer enough freshness to stand above the original, or is it simply a more polished version of what fans already love? Tune in for our full breakdown — and whether we say play it or pass it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    44 min
  2. Ball X Pit, Is it Ball Cross Pit or Ball X Pit?

    NOV 20

    Ball X Pit, Is it Ball Cross Pit or Ball X Pit?

    Sometimes Game Pass drops something serious, sometimes something cinematic… and sometimes it drops a game where you launch balls into a pit and cause absolute mayhem. This week, we’re talking about Ball X Pit, a deceptively simple arcade-style title that’s all about physics-driven chaos, fast scoring, and “one more try” addiction. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we break down what makes Ball X Pit work—and what doesn’t: The core gameplay loop and why it’s weirdly satisfying despite being so simple How the game ramps difficulty and unlocks new ball types, hazards, and pit modifiers Whether the physics feel tight and intentional or more on the unpredictable, goofy side If the game has enough depth to keep you hooked, or if it runs out of steam fast Is Ball X Pit the kind of score-chasing, dopamine-hit arcade fun that deserves a spot in your rotation? Or is it just another Game Pass curiosity you’ll play once and forget? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min

  3. NOV 16

    The Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Console Mess

    As we roll into the end of 2025, Xbox feels like it’s in the weirdest place it’s ever been. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we sit down and talk through the massive shift Microsoft made at the start of October 2025: the full Xbox Game Pass revamp with new tiers (Essential, Premium, and Ultimate), the 50% price hike on Ultimate to $29.99/month, the jump in PC Game Pass pricing, and the confusing split between day-one releases on Ultimate versus “within a year” access on other tiers. We break down what each tier actually gets you now, how that compares to just a couple of years ago, and why the current structure feels so wild and hard to message to normal players.  We also dig into the broader context that got Xbox here: another major round of layoffs, around 9,000 jobs across Microsoft with thousands tied to Xbox; the closure of The Initiative; and the cancellation of high-profile first-party projects like Perfect Dark and Everwild, plus heavy cuts at Turn 10 and other studios. We talk honestly about how all of that undercuts the “we care about creators” messaging, and how it collides with Microsoft’s push toward a more PC-centric, multi-platform strategy where Xbox games show up on PlayStation, Switch, and Windows as services rather than true console exclusives.  From there, we zoom out and look at where Game Pass sits going into 2026: Is Ultimate still worth the money after the price hikes and restructuring? PC Gamer+1 Does the new tier setup actually give players “more choice,” or just more confusion?  What does Game Pass look like in a world where Microsoft is clearly prioritizing Windows, cloud, and publishing on competing hardware over building a strong console identity? We close the episode by looking across the aisle at PlayStation’s future hardware plans. Sony’s CFO is now on record saying PS5 is only “in the middle of its journey,” while leaks and reporting continue to point toward a PlayStation 6 sometime in the later part of this decade and a Switch-style PS6 handheld that’s designed around backward compatibility with PS4 and PS5 titles. We talk about what a PS6 and PS6 handheld could mean for Xbox’s next console, and whether Microsoft’s current moves put them in a better place for that fight—or a weaker one.  By the end of it, we’re asking a simple question with a messy answer: Is Game Pass still the best deal in gaming, or is Microsoft burning a lot of goodwill right as the next generation starts to come into view? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 47m
  4. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers & Spray Paint Simulator From Feathers to Graffiti –

    AUG 24

    Wuchang: Fallen Feathers & Spray Paint Simulator From Feathers to Graffiti –

    Two very different games. One episode. In this week’s Game Pass or Pass, we’re taking a look at the upcoming dark action RPG Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and the hands-on creativity of Spray Paint Simulator. They couldn’t be further apart in tone, but both raise the question: does uniqueness automatically mean quality? We discuss: Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – How its Soulslike combat, plague-ridden setting, and folklore-driven narrative stack up against heavy hitters like Elden Ring and Lies of P. Does its style and atmosphere carry enough weight to stand on its own? Spray Paint Simulator – A completely different vibe, focusing on freedom of expression through tagging, murals, and customization. Is it a laid-back creative sandbox, or just another niche sim with limited staying power? The strange contrast of covering these two back-to-back, and what that says about the variety Game Pass offers. Which one we think has a stronger shot at holding player attention long-term. Do either of these titles have what it takes to be more than a curiosity on Game Pass? Or are they destined to fade into the backlog? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    48 min
  5. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, Now with More Doom

    AUG 17

    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, Now with More Doom

    We kick off this episode with a write-in discussion on the recent Microsoft layoffs and game cancellations, including the uncertainty around projects like Perfect Dark. It’s a tough conversation about the state of Xbox, studios, and what this means for players moving forward. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we dive in deep on the remaster’s biggest questions: Skating remade, but gospel intact: How Iron Galaxy rebuilt classic parks in stunning 4K, added new levels like Waterpark, Pinball, and Movie Studio, and expanded Create-A-Park tools—without losing that signature two-minute trick combo rush. More than nostalgia: New game modes—including New Game+—cross-platform multiplayer for up to eight players, fresh unlockables, and enhanced creation tools give it surprisingly lasting appeal. Trick-filled surprises: Guest skaters like TMNT’s Michelangelo are finally playable, alongside the Doom Slayer and modern pros like Riley Hawk—Tony’s real-life son, now skating in-game and making his mark in the family legacy. What fans are saying: Critics praise its faithful feel and presentation, although some note that THPS 4’s original open-ended career design was simplified back into traditional level progression. Does Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 stand as the skater’s rightful return, or does it skate by on nostalgia alone? Tune in to hear our full breakdown of how this remaster rides the line between reverence and reinvention. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    46 min
  6. Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, Its NOT Monopoly

    AUG 10

    Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, Its NOT Monopoly

    What happens when you mix stop-motion-inspired visuals, card-based combat, and a dice companion that can literally change your fate? You get Lost in Random: The Eternal Die — a bizarre, Tim Burton-esque action-adventure that’s equal parts whimsical and unsettling. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we dive into: How the dice-rolling mechanic impacts combat pacing and strategy The blend of real-time action with deck-building and why it’s unlike most Game Pass titles The dark fairy tale world design and how it elevates the game’s atmosphere Whether the story and gameplay loop hold up through the entire journey or start to feel repetitive How “The Eternal Die” expansion adds new layers to the original and if it’s worth revisiting Is Lost in Random: The Eternal Die a hidden gem on Game Pass, or just a stylish curiosity that runs out of luck? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    39 min
  7. Firefighting Simulator & Police Simulator, Sim Cop & Rescue

    JUN 24

    Firefighting Simulator & Police Simulator, Sim Cop & Rescue

    n this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we put on the gear and hit the streets with two procedural-heavy sims: Firefighting Simulator: The Squad and Police Simulator: Patrol Officers — both from the same publisher, both promising realism and co-op-friendly gameplay. But what we found was... odd. These games aim for authenticity, but somehow miss the mark in both realism and gameplay depth. They're not exactly arcade, not exactly sim — just somewhere in between. We break down: The moment-to-moment gameplay and why it can feel more like following a checklist than fighting fires or solving crimes The inconsistent tone — realistic job settings mixed with strange AI, clunky animations, and mechanics that don’t quite reflect real-world procedures Whether there's enough content and progression to keep players engaged past the first few missions How they compare to other Game Pass co-op or sim-style titles Are these chill, low-stakes co-op options worth a download — or do they fall flat trying to simulate something they don’t fully commit to? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    27 min
  8. Doom the Dark Ages, Rip and Tear Medieval Style

    JUN 16

    Doom the Dark Ages, Rip and Tear Medieval Style

    Rip and tear… but this time with a flail and shield. In this episode of Game Pass or Pass, we break down everything we know so far about DOOM: The Dark Ages, the next brutal entry in id Software’s iconic franchise — and it’s unlike anything we’ve seen before. Set in a dark medieval world, this prequel to 2016’s DOOM reinvents the Slayer as a knight-like figure, battling demonic hordes with brutal melee weapons, heavy siege-inspired firearms, and a rideable cybernetic dragon. We cover: Gameplay evolution: How id is blending high-speed FPS mechanics with grounded, gritty close-quarters combat — and what that means for longtime fans New weapons: Including the shield-saw (think Captain America meets chainsaw) and a bone-shattering flail built for crowd control and brutality Setting and tone: A complete shift from sci-fi Mars to a gothic, hell-torn kingdom that feels part Dark Souls, part DOOM Eternal The Dragon: Yes, the Slayer rides a biomechanical dragon into battle Design philosophy: Why id says this is their most cinematic, story-rich DOOM yet, without sacrificing speed or savagery   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    47 min
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About

Xbox Game Pass is one of the best values for gamers on Xbox and on PC. But not every game is worth your time. On the Game Pass or Pass Podcast, we tell you which games you should download and which games you should pass on by

Information

  • Creator
    Play Tested
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    204
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Play Tested
  • Show Website
    Game Pass or Pass