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Pocket TacticsJan 12

Universal Tower Defense Tier List [❄️UPD] Updated on January 12, 2026 : Added all the new Winter update units. Winter Team: Spade/Admiral (Astral) + Berserker/Ichiko/Koyote/Jinoo (Ruler/Sacred) + Farm/Virtual The best units in Universal Tower Defense depend on five categories which are Hybrid, Hill, Ground, Support and Farm. I'll show you the best ones for all roles as well as talk about the best game modes , traits and relics for all units. Here's my Universal Tower Defense tier list and guide . Table of contents Universal Tower Defense Unit Tier List Meta Hybrid Good Hybrid Meta Ground Alternative Ground Meta Air/Hill Alternative Air/Hill Meta Support Alternative Support Farm Best Relics in Universal Tower Defense Universal Tower Defense FAQ Universal Tower Defense Unit Tier List Image by Destructoid This is just a preview of the Universal Tower Defense tier list but the real ranking reasons are below. I'll go into each individual unit and talk about why it's ranked where it is, as well as the best game modes for it and specific traits. Note that I won't go much into progression since any unit can be good to progress with if you upgrade and Etherealize it with some Relics equipped. I'll focus more on Nightmare, Infinite, Challenges and Virtual Realm. Stat & Evo Assumptions : I'll assume you're feeding and upgrading the units with good stat rolls from the Traits NPC. I'll also assume the EVO versions of units if they have an EVO. You can assume the non-EVO versions are a tier below in the same categories. For example, the base Admiral is still a good support but instead of a Hybrid he's a good Ground unit. Best Stats : Usually the best stat to increase is Damage for overall DPS or SPA since most Relic Set Bonuses have effects that trigger on 5th/6th attack so the faster you trigger these the better. Best Traits : I'll list the best traits for each unit below. Best Relics : I'll list the best relics below the tier list breakdowns. Farming Tips : Check out the FAQ below for the best farming tips for Gems, Trait Rerolls and more. Meta Hybrid S-Tier Hybrid Rankings Explained Jinoo (Monarch) Banner Secret • Top 3 DPS unit with shadows dealing massive damage with the scaling buff • Best unit for Infinite due to the massive scaling and decent on VR • Note that he's not the best for faster game modes since he takes a while to scale up • That said, he got a massive buff on December 20 giving his passive to the unevolved version and pumping his mana gain and damage • Best Trait : Ruler or Eternal Koyote (Number One) Mythic • A Hybrid-on-upgrade DPS machine that spams wolf summons on takedown dealing sustained DPS and charging energy (Especially on E4) • Also has a massive damage burst Nuke that fires on max energy doing 500% damage • Koyote is one of the best hybrid DPS and overall DPS units in the game for any mode • Best Trait : Ruler for main DPS or Sacred/Eternal for secondary DPS Ice Empress (Forst) Winter Capsule Exclusive • A mix of impressive DPS and execution as well as top-tier stalling support and even a bit of buffs • She has a ton of passives but the main ones are freezes and slows for amazing stalling for your other DPS units • Summons units which is really strong but requires 50 kills on her meter so she's best for extended game modes and not quick farming • Combos well with other Frost units which she buffs for 20% like Koyote or Jangluu • Overall a powerhouse DPS and Support hybrid • Best Trait : Ruler Admiral (Magma) Legendary EVO • The best budget unit in the game since you get it easily as a Legendary and it stays strong in the late-game via EVO • Easily one of the best Fire units in the game • Admiral is good for two reasons, he deals impressive DOT damage but also acts as a support with Confusion • Confusion makes enemies walk back which is amazing stalling for your main DPS units • Best Trait : Wizard or Fission Berserker (Enraged) Mythic • Top 3 DPS unit in the game overall and arguably the best Hybrid due to game mode flexibility and CC • Fast ramp-up value • Obliterates armored enemies, slows and increase all damage taken on enemies • Second-best unit for VR after Kriatu EVO • Decent on Infinite but not the best • Best Trait : Ruler or Sacred Ichiko (Rage) Secret • Ichiko is good, don't get me wrong, but he's just raw DPS with not a lot of utility past the 5-second active stun that's on a 90s cooldown • Requires a specific build around crit chance and damage to maximize his passive damage and overall DPS (Go full damage on substats) • Still one of the better units in the game, just slightly weaker than the ones above • Best Trait : Ruler or Sacred Migumen (Finale) NY Capsule Exclusive • Requires rushing to final upgrade for her Nuke to be viable because the Nuke deals massive damage, epsecially on E6 • Other than the Nuke she's a decent Burn DoT damage unit • This is because in addition to the Burn DoT she's also excellent against armor due to True Damage and Radiation • Best Trait : Ruler or Sacred Good Hybrid S-Tier Hybrid Rankings Explained Dragon Guy (Silverite) Challenges Secret • Got massive buffs to Twin Dragon Hunting Flash, Shatter and Are You Scared helping him in faster modes • He's not a Meta DPS but he is Meta if you consider him a Hybrid DPS Support mix since he can CC enemies • Great on Virtual Realm and Infinite but takes a while to activate his Trance (This is not as much of a problem anymore due to buffs) • He's best with units that can apply Freeze since his Shatter deals burst damage on frozen targets • He can also self-cleanse stuns which is really good for Infinite • Best Trait : Ruler or Eternal Scarlet Maid (World) Get from Virtual Shop • A hybrid DPS and Support that can now be viable with the December 20 buffs to her skill damage and The World ability • Stuns enemies, has Slows and deals great DPS with Time Gauge stacks which trigger various high damage attacks • The only downside is that her CC needs to be activated by attacking and is not on every attack like other CC units • Great on Infinite • That said, she's best when you have E6 since the CC lasts for a long time • Best Trait : Ruler or Sacred Mob (100%) Mythic • Overall a great slowing unit and an always useful Hybrid that got a slight damage buff which adds up fast • Really good for VR and Infinite as a supporting slowing option with Eternal and decent with Ruler as a DPS but I would stick to it as a support/DPS mix • Best Trait : Ruler or Eternal Bambee (Blitz) NY Capsule Exclusive • Deals okay damage but her main strength is flexibility since she applies status effects based on your team's most used element • These status effects are also better with Bambee since they last longer • I recommend building your team around Ice since due to Ice Empress, Koyote and Jangluu being some of the best units in the game Water : Slow Wind : Wind Shear Rose : Bleed Dark : Stun Fire : Burn Light : Radiation Ice : Freeze Meta Ground S-Tier Ground Rankings Explained Grommjow (Panther) Exclusive • Deals Meta-level AOE DPS and works similarly to Koyote where you're collecting meter but instead of a nuke, Grommjow transforms on full meter • The transformation boosts both single-target DPS and AOE damage due to the explosion per enemy • Great against armor • Best Trait : Ruler or Eternal Kriatu (Cheater) Mythic • The best ground unit in the game currently • Also the best unit in the game for VR • Deals increasingly more damage as he crits • Get the Duelist trait on him ASAP so that he can crit more and therefore ramp up damage faster • He can only gain more crit from Traits • Got a huge buff on ability damage making him even better • Best Trait : Duelist Sasku (Chakra) Mythic • Overall great on any mode with excellent DoT damage, utility and overall DPS (Especially with the buffs on Arrow and Kirin) • The utility mainly comes from the passive which has some hybrid potential • Also has decent CC for pseudo-supporting • Excellent for grinding Story since he's easy to get and EVO • You can either run him as your main DPS with Ruler or off-DPS with Wizard for DoTs • Best Trait : Wizard or Ruler Shunks (Conqueror) Mythic • You get both damage and stuns all in one unit making Shunks one of the best units in the game • Definitely worth to EVO • Meta support DPS for all game modes due to stuns • Best Trait : Ruler or Sacred Alternative Ground A-Tier Ground Rankings Explained Ronin Obito/Rogue Oni Exclusive Day 7 Daily Reward • The best on Story mode since you can get him for free Day 7 and grind story • Impressive DoT damage but not as much utility as other DoT units like Sasuke, Ace and Admiral • Will be much stronger if they gave him an EVO like Rule • Best Trait : Wizard Footballer (Ego) Exclusive BattlePass Reward Level 25 • Decent DPS with the self-buff and mini damage buff on ally but doesn't combo with anything nor excel in anything • Great for Story since you can get it fast for free via BattlePass • Overall a decent DPS option if you don't have anything else • Best Trait : Ruler or Sacred Gen Legendary • Can be good for Story and other game modes if you invest a lot into it as a beginner • That said later it's not that good • Best Trait : Sacred or Eternal Meta Air/Hill S-Tier Air Rankings Explained Jangluu (Eclipse) Winter Capsule Exclusive • Deals a ton of damage on Frozen enemies even though he doesn't stun on Freeze • Best combined with units that can freeze like Ice Empress since she also buffs Ice units • Requires a specific team setup but can potentially be one of the best Hill units in the game • Best Trait : Ruler or Eternal Tierabel (Hydro) Mythic • Arguably the best Hill/Air unit currently, since she has great damage with spawning AOE damage tides • Plus, she also slows enemy units offering mini support potential • Becomes even stronger in her mode • Note that it isn't that worth it running Nell just for the combo on the first passive since it's not that much • Best Trait : Eternal Spade (Donut) Mythic • The best Air/Hill DPS unit and one of the best units in the game overall due to the passive on-shield damage • Amazing for progressing story/legend stage since you can get it fast and you need a good Air ASAP • Otherwise great for VR and Infinite as your Hill slot with Ruler as a main DPS or Astral as a secondary DPS • Best trait is Astral since Spade is the best Burn DOT unit in the game right now • Best Trait : Astral or Ruler Ultiorra (Oblivion) Mythic • Similar to Tierabel in that Ultiorra deals decent DPS and also has supporting abilities from Unpredictable Despair where he can Confuse or Stun enemies • I prefer him over Spade when not facing shields since Spade is better against shields • You also get an active Nuke that deals massive damage on a 45s cooldown which is pretty good for clearing important waves • Best Trait : Ruler or Eternal Cyborg (Fearless) Mythic • The weakest Air/Hill unit but can still hold his own due to the December 20 buffs • The main reason he's much better now is that his Nuke got a massive buff for targeted damage and is on a much lower CD • Decent DoT and he's a must-have if you don't have Spade or other Hill units to hit fliers • Best Trait : Wizard or Ruler Alternative Air/Hill A-Tier Air Rankings Explained Pebble Legendary • Great starter Hill unit with good beginner DPS • Best Trait : Artificer Great Early Game Air/Hill Units • Your beginner package for Hill units before you get the Legendaries Meta Support S-Tier Support Rankings Explained Rule (ROOM) Exclusive BattlePass Reward Level 50 • Incredibly versatile support that stuns and teleports enemy units • Great on all modes but especially on Virtual Realm • Best Trait : Ruler or Eternal Dragon Guy (Silverite) Challenges Secret • Got massive buffs to Twin Dragon Hunting Flash, Shatter and Are You Scared helping him in faster modes • He's not a Meta DPS but he is Meta if you consider him a Hybrid DPS Support mix since he can CC enemies • Great on Virtual Realm and Infinite but takes a while to activate his Trance (This is not as much of a problem anymore due to buffs) • He's best with units that can apply Freeze since his Shatter deals burst damage on frozen targets • He can also self-cleanse stuns which is really good for Infinite • Best Trait : Ruler or Eternal Tierabel (Hydro) Mythic • Arguably the best Hill/Air unit currently, since she has great damage with spawning AOE damage tides • Plus, she also slows enemy units offering mini support potential • Becomes even stronger in her mode • Note that it isn't that worth it running Nell just for the combo on the first passive since it's not that much • Best Trait : Eternal Admiral (Magma) Legendary EVO • The best budget unit in the game since you get it easily as a Legendary and it stays strong in the late-game via EVO • Easily one of the best Fire units in the game • Admiral is good for two reasons, he deals impressive DOT damage but also acts as a support with Confusion • Confusion makes enemies walk back which is amazing stalling for your main DPS units • Best Trait : Wizard or Fission Miku (Super Star) Mythic • Buffs all units around her with either increased Damage or Range • Etherealize up to 6 is key here to increase the buffs • The best buffer in the entire game and she becomes worth it after you place some units already so don't use her as a starter or second unit • Amazing for Infinite • Best Trait : Artificer Lulu Quest Secret Check out how to unlock him> • Our Lulu/Lelouch Quest Guide will show you how to unlock this unit • Lulu is a great support unit when he works that doesn't attack but instead issues orders based on his cooldown • He can stall units a lot which helps your main DPS units get in more damage • He can also stun enemy units • That said, there's also some great damage here with the Beam order (Which got buffed) • Great for all game modes and is overall one of the best supports • Laughing Captain Relic set bonus is great on him for reduced active cooldowns • Best Trait : Ruler or Sacred Alternative Support A-Tier Support Rankings Explained Bambee (Blitz) NY Capsule Exclusive • Deals okay damage but her main strength is flexibility since she applies status effects based on your team's most used element • These status effects are also better with Bambee since they last longer • I recommend building your team around Ice since due to Ice Empress, Koyote and Jangluu being some of the best units in the game Water : Slow Wind : Wind Shear Rose : Bleed Dark : Stun Fire : Burn Light : Radiation Ice : Freeze Shunks (Conqueror) Mythic • You get both damage and stuns all in one unit making Shunks one of the best units in the game • Definitely worth to EVO • Meta support DPS for all game modes due to stuns • Best Trait : Ruler or Sacred Scarlet Maid (World) Get from Virtual Shop • A hybrid DPS and Support that can now be viable with the December 20 buffs to her skill damage and The World ability • Stuns enemies, has Slows and deals great DPS with Time Gauge stacks which trigger various high damage attacks • The only downside is that her CC needs to be activated by attacking and is not on every attack like other CC units • Great on Infinite • That said, for Supporting purposes she's lower on the list since she's best when you have E6 for a massive duration boost which can be slow to grind • Best Trait : Ruler or Sacred Mob (100%) Mythic • Overall a great slowing unit and an always useful Hybrid that got a slight damage buff which adds up fast • Really good for VR and Infinite as a supporting slowing option with Eternal and decent with Ruler as a DPS but I would stick to it as a support/DPS mix • Best Trait : Ruler or Eternal Nelle (Primal) Mythic • A weird DPS unit that revets between baby and adult form granting various buffs that ultimately produce sub-optimal damage • That said has some decent supporting abilities with Ichiko and Tierabel which are both really good units • That said, I wouldn't run Nellee unless you really like her from Bleach Shakumira EVO Legendary EVO • A low DPS unit but offers great support potential with a stalling ability • Not the best unit to EVO for all modes but pretty great on Infinite, especially with the cooldown buff on the CC • Best Trait : Artificer Zora Legendary • Great beginner unit and overall a decent support with the CC effect • Scarlet Maid is a better unit and DPS but Zora's CC is more reliable for supporting • Best Trait : Artificer Farm Farm Rankings Explained Fastcart Epic • The only Farm unit in the game • Get the Fortunate trait on him ASAP • Good for all modes • Best Trait : Fortune Best Relics in Universal Tower Defense Below you'll find a list of all Relics and their set bonuses as well as which units you should use them on. Set & Bonus Head Set & Bonus Body/Legs Best Units Junior Ninja Head • Increase received buffs by 10% Junior Ninja Body/Legs • +5% Damage • +10% Wind Damage Wind Units if you're running them with Miku (Super Star) in your team or other buff units Master Ninja Head • Every 5 attacks, increase DOT damage by 20% for 10 seconds Master Ninja Body/Legs • +5% Damage • +10% Dark/Rose/Fire Damage Dark, Rose or Fire units that have DoT effects like Admiral (Magma) Sun God Head • Every 6 attacks the wearer gains a damage buff equal to their range for 7 seconds 1 Range = 1% Damage Sun God Body/Legs • +5% Damage • +10% Light/Water/Ice Damage Light, Water or Ice units that have high attack speed like Kriatu Laughing Captain Head • -10% Active Ability Cooldown Laughing Captain Body/Legs • +5% Damage • -5% Cooldown • +5% Range Great for any DPS unit that has an active ability like Lulu Berserk Shinigami Head • Every 5th hit the next attack is buffed to deal 20% extra True Damage that ignores resistances Berserk Shinigami Body/Legs • +5% Damage • +15% Armor Damage Great on armor shred units like Berserker or to give your main DPS units some armor shred Ex Captain Uraharo Head • Refund 5% of Yen spent on upgrades Ex Captain Uraharo Body/Legs • +10% Critical Rate • +25% Critical Damage Great on Mythics and Secrets that have the Duelist Trait Don't put on Kriatu since he doesn't benefit from Crit Rate other than from Traits Universal Tower Defense FAQ How do the Elements interact in terms of bonus damage in Universal Tower Defense? • Fire is strong against Rose and Ice • Water is strong against Fire and Wind • Ice is strong against Water and Rose • Wind is strong against Ice and Fire • Rose is strong against Wind and Water • Light is strong against Dark • Dark is strong against Light What are the best ways to farm Gems in Universal Tower Defense? • From Achievements • Ragna Challenge - 200 gems per clear • Half-hourly gem challenges - 500 to 1000 gems per clear • Easy Mode Infinite - Caps at 900 gems on Wave 50 (Difficulty 100%) or 1300 gems on Wave 50 (Difficulty 1000%) • Virtual Mode on Easy and 100% Difficulty - 1000 Gems • Virtual Shop - 1 Virtual Token for 25 Gems What are the best ways to farm Trait Rerolls in UTD? • From Achievements and Level Milestones • Ragna Challenge • Half-hourly trait reroll challenges • Daily challenge • Buy 5 daily at the Gold merchant • Buy at Virtual Merchant What are the best ways to farm gold in UTD? • Summoning units and selling them • Ragna challenge • Hollowed Moon Act 6 Nightmare (100% Difficulty) - Gives 1140 gold per clear What is the best way to farm EXP and Levels in UTD? The best way to level up is to farm Virtual Realm, Ragna Challenges and finish Story mode. That's it for my Universal Tower Defense tier list and guide. Check out our Universal Tower Defense codes for a bunch of free goodies. The post Universal Tower Defense Tier List [❄️UPD] appeared first on Destructoid .

DestructoidJan 12

The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2026What games should you play on Xbox Game Pass? With so many options to choose from, narrowing down the best Xbox Game Pass games currently available can be a challenge. The subscription service has grown in size, offering a massive library of big AAA games, new day-one releases, and even overlooked gems--like one of 2025's best games, Blue Prince . The library is so expansive that you're almost guaranteed to find at least a few games you'll love and classics from yesteryear, thanks to the recent addition of Retro Classics . To help you navigate the ever-shifting landscape, we've rounded up the very best Game Pass games available now. There are plenty more excellent games on Xbox Game Pass than the ones we’ve listed below--the service is loaded with worthy games. These are just the games we think every Xbox owner should play, and we regularly review this list to make sure we stand by our choices and rotate in newer releases. We'll continue to update this list as the Game Pass library adds new selections. Every month brings new games as well, and in case you missed it, here's what you can download and play in December . More Xbox best lists Best Xbox Series X games Biggest upcoming Xbox games Best Xbox controllers Best Xbox headsets Keep in mind that Xbox Game Pass comes in various tiers at different pricing levels, which were increased in November 2025 : Essential, Premium, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate. Game Pass Essential offers a catalogue of 50+ games and online multiplayer, while Premium bumps the number of playable games to 200. Game Pass Ultimate is the top-tier service that provides access to all games on day one, cloud streaming, and several more perks. Game Pass Essential -- $10 per month Game Pass Premium -- $15 per month PC Game Pass -- $16.49 per month Game Pass Ultimate -- $$30 per month For the purposes of this list, we looked at the whole Xbox Game Pass library available in the Ultimate tier, so if you're subscribed to one of the other tiers--especially Essential--not every recommendation may be available. And while this list is a good place to get started, the library of games is even more expansive, and more games will be added throughout the year. Be sure to check back for updated recommendations. Stack Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-Month Codes $55 (was $60) See at Amazon The Alters Some of the best games on Game Pass are the ones that push the limits on what a genre is capable of, letting you sample ambitious ideas for the cost of your subscription. In the case of The Alters, you're getting a fascinating blend of survival, base-building, and resource management. The catch here are the human resources you have to work with, as protagonist Jan Dolski's mission to escape an inhospitable planet is aided by his alternate selves, reflections of who he could have been if he'd made a different choice in life. The end result is both mechanically and narratively fascinating in this ambitious fusion of ideas from the studio behind This War of Mine. Read our The Alters review . See at Amazon Atomfall Who knows when Fallout 5 will ever emerge from a vault to see the light of day, but until then, games like Atomfall are proudly carrying the survival-action torch in its place. Inspired by the classic Bethesda series and the real-life Windscale Power Plant fire, Atomfall wastes no time throwing you into a weird and mysterious world. Full of existential dread and British charm, you're free to chart your own path as you either journey deeper into the unknown or find yourself taking a detour from the golden path in this delightfully open-ended game. Read our Atomfall review . Avowed Following a dip into sci-fi with The Outer Worlds, Obsidian's return to an RPG fantasy setting is one of this year's biggest surprises. Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, you play as a godlike--one who has been touched by a god leaving you marked in a way that's visually distinct to everyone around you. Your journey through the Living Lands makes a point to streamline some classic RPG systems, while giving you an incredible amount of flexibility in others. Combat is a particular standout, as you can mix and match just about any variety of weapons and abilities, and easily respec to experiment with new combinations. Balatro Balatro was a breakout release last year--in fact, it was one of our favorite games of 2024 --and the one-more-round roguelike poker game has only gotten better with subsequent updates. It's now available on Xbox Game Pass, and came alongside a new Friends of Jimbo pack that lets you change the face cards to crossovers with games like Civilization VII, Assassin's Creed, Fallout, Bugsnax, and more. If you've never caught up with the incredibly compelling and clever game, now is the time. Blue Prince You've never played a game quite like Blue Prince. The first-person puzzle game has you exploring an empty mansion, but this particular manor house has a special quality: It's never the same from day to day, as the rooms appear as you "draft" them from a selection whenever you come to a door. The ultimate goal is to explore the mansion and reach the hidden Room 46, but the game's many puzzles and mysteries unfold and interlock in ways that feel constantly enthralling. And since it's on Game Pass, it's easy to recommend with your existing subscription. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 The Call of Duty series has been among the top sellers for years, but some CoD games are clearly better than others . This year's iteration, Black Ops 6, is the best the series has been in some time, and the first time that a new Call of Duty game has been available on Game Pass at launch. The campaign is a smart and varied action spectacle that keeps you on your toes as it explores paranoid thriller tropes set against global events in the 1990s. Meanwhile, the multiplayer's new omni-movement makes matches feel fast and fluid, especially with the addition of inventive new maps that let you explore the space in a variety of ways. A revision to the perks system helps you specialize in interesting ways. Call of Duty has earned its reputation for a reason, and this latest release shows why. Read our Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 campaign review and multiplayer review . See at Amazon Celeste An impeccably crafted indie platformer, Celeste is known for its tough-but-fair difficulty and surprisingly emotionally engaging story. As you climb the mountain you'll come face to face with devilish platforming challenges that will test your skill, all while discovering a subtle story of self-discovery and overcoming depression. It has a stellar 94 score on Metacritic , so don't sleep on this one. And don't worry if you aren't a platforming pro, as Celeste has a full suite of difficulty modifiers that let you experience the climb on your own terms. Read our Celeste review . See at Xbox Store Diablo IV When Microsoft finalized its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, it seemed like only a matter of time before the studio's massive library started to come to Game Pass. We're still waiting on a lot of the catalog, but it started with a big one. The latest in the beloved dungeon-crawling RPG series Diablo, Diablo IV, lets you delve into the deep and macabre world of Sanctuary to protect it from Lillith, the demon mother. With deep and immersive character building and a regular cadence of seasonal content to let you further expand your characters with new abilities, Diablo IV is not to be missed. Read our Diablo IV review . See at Xbox Store Doom Eternal Bigger, bolder, and more brutal than ever, Id Software unleashed hell on Earth with Doom Eternal, much to the delight of everyone who played this sequel. Pure action from start to finish and unrelenting when the armies of the damned were thrown at you, Doom Eternal is a metal journey through the apocalypse that takes no prisoners. Read our Doom Eternal review . See at Xbox Store Doom: The Dark Ages Doom: The Dark Ages feels like a return to form for id Software's iconic series. While Doom Eternal would regularly leave you breathless with its hyper-kinetic gameplay and resource-juggling, The Dark Ages keeps the action grounded by transforming the Doom Slayer into an overpowered engine of destruction. The stand-and-fight mantra guiding this prequel works wonders, while the bullet-hell challenge and shield-bashing gameplay makes ripping and tearing through demonic hordes feel more satisfying than ever. Read our Doom: The Dark Ages review . FBC: Firebreak FBC: Firebreak takes a while to get going, but once all of its pieces fall into place, this co-op first-person-shooter is an exciting stab at the live-service genre. The Control spin-off also makes a statement to the current hamster wheel of FOMO that live-service games attempt to force players to run on, making it a breath of fresh air in an industry where your attention span has become a valuable commodity. Read our FBC: Firebreak review . Forza Horizon 5 Between its amazing visuals, myriad gameplay options, and bevy of content, Forza Horizon 5 is a racing game that anyone can enjoy. From a technical standpoint, it’s remarkable what the team at Playground Games achieved--everything from the meticulously detailed vehicle models to the lush virtual recreations of Mexico’s landscapes are visually engrossing.. Better yet, the gameplay is some of the best in the racing genre. Unlike the simulation-heavy Forza Motorsport line, the Forza Horizon series lean towards arcade racing, emphasizing player freedom in vast open worlds. Forza Horizon 5 doubles down on the philosophy, letting players focus on the type of experience they want--be that tense races against other players, single-player challenges and story content, or just chilling out and cruising the open road. Read our Forza Horizon 5 review . See at Xbox Store Forza Motorsport Forza Motorsport goes back to the series' roots as a simulation track racer, with stunning recreations of high performance vehicles. Car progression and upgrades are streamlined enough for fans to understand, but with the ability to get your hands dirty under the hood with precise fine-tuning. It's a graphical showpiece for the Xbox, making it a great game to try on Game Pass regardless of whether you're a gear-head. Read our Forza Motorsport review . See at Xbox Store Gears of War: Reloaded The original Gears of War landed on Xbox 360 almost 20 years ago, and in a testament to its enduring popularity, this updated version of the classic still feels as fun to play today as it was in 2006. The game is still a tightly constructed shooter with plenty of blockbuster moments and one of the best weapons in gaming history, the Lancer chainsaw-rifle. This version polishes it up for modern-day hardware, but the gameplay remains as polished as ever while you work your way through encounters with the Locust army. Or as protagonist Marcus Fenix would say, nice . Gears Tactics Gears Tactics cleverly applies the aesthetic and atmosphere of the franchise to a tactics game. Despite being a totally different genre, Gears Tactics still feels like a natural addition to the iconic franchise thanks to sound mechanics and great level design. Many of the notable Gears of War gameplay systems and quirks are adapted into the top-down tactical spin on the genre. With a meaningful progression system, deep but approachable tactical encounters, and a number of great boss battles, Gears Tactics is a can’t-miss experience for Gears aficionados and strategy game fans alike. Read our Gears Tactics review. See at Xbox Store Grounded 2 Obsidian's survival-crafting sequel builds on the strong foundation established by the first game to deliver a vibrant alternative to all of the gloomy survival games on the market today. It's still in an early access phase, but if history repeats itself, we're expecting Grounded 2 to be a bigger and better sequel that remains fun to play while Obsidian continues to fine-tune it. Read our Grounded 2 review . Halo: The Master Chief Collection If you’ve never played the Halo franchise before, Halo: The Master Chief Collection is the perfect place to start. The Master Chief Collection comes with six Halo games, including remastered versions of the first two original Xbox entries. Halo features some of the very best single-player campaigns in the genre as well as extremely solid online multiplayer, at least after years of fixes and improvements. Back when the collection was originally released, the online multiplayer was spotty to say the least, but it has come a long way. Halo: The Master Chief Collection offers the best way to play some of the most heralded first-person shooters ever created. Read our Halo: The Master Chief Collection review . See at Xbox Store Hi-Fi Rush Hi-Fi Rush is a bright, popcorn animated adventure from the studio that brought you… The Evil Within? As surprising as that is, what may be even more impressive is that this is an absolute gem of a rhythm-action game. The original IP follows Chai, a good-hearted doofus who signs up for free cybernetic surgery and ends up with a Zune grafted into his chest. He comes out of the other side with the power to defeat corporate ne'er-do-wells to the gyrating beat of the world. It's like Elite Beat Agents mashed together with Devil May Cry. Read our Hi-Fi Rush review . See at Xbox Store Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition Enchanting and utterly engrossing, Hollow Knight is one of the best metroidvanias ever made. Team Cherry’s adventure stars a nameless knight armed with a nail who explores a labyrinthine world known as Hallownest. With a gorgeous art style and an incredible amount of variation in the environments, Hollow Knight’s expansive world is a constant joy to explore. Challenging combat rewards those with patience and perseverance. Hollow Knight truly stands out in a fairly crowded genre. If you haven’t waded through Hallownest yet, now’s a great time to slay some insect ahead of the sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong. Read our Hollow Knight review . See at Xbox Store Hollow Knight: Silksong After years of waiting--and several summoning circles--Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally arrived and it's turning out to be an overwhelming follow-up to its predecessor. Team Cherry's Hollow Knight follow-up builds on a successful formula, evolving it to a near-perfect state where you get to explore labyrinthine worlds, challenge powerful foes, and master a nuanced combat system as the protagonist, Hornet. I Am Your Beast One of 2024's best shooters , I Am Your Beast is the kind of game you boot up when you're looking for quick but satisfying fun. Developed by Strange Scaffold, the studio behind another cult-classic, El Paso, Elsewhere , I Am Your Beast reinvents the movie trope of a retired special forces agent being called in for one last job and transforms it into a stylish gauntlet of danger as you sprint, slide, and shoot your way through entire armies of goons. The fast-paced nature of the game means that you have to think quickly if you want to avoid a bullet to the head, and each successful run is an exhilarating experience. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle MachineGames' take on Indiana Jones is a masterful take on the famous relic hunter. The action is a tightly designed clockwork of action, stealth, and immersive-sim elements that capture Indy's famous improvisational style. The story is rich and engaging and belongs right on the shelf next to some of Indy's other great adventures. And the character and worldbuilding are all top-notch, which helps to sell Troy Baker's take on the famous character popularized by actor Harrison Ford. It's the complete package, and a great reason to subscribe to Game Pass. Read our Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review . See at Amazon Keeper Keeper is exactly the kind of game that Game Pass needs. A weird and experimental title from Double Fine, Keeper is an artistic triumph with a heartfelt tale at its core. Constantly interesting on a visual level and frequently reinventing itself with new gameplay hooks, Keeper is a strong example of why video games can be considered art. Read our Keeper review . Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Lost in Random: The Eternal Die wears its Hades influence proudly on its sleeve, but this roguelike action game also has several novel ideas of its own. The roll of the dice plays a crucial part in determining just how well--or poorly-- your next run will go, and with a gripping story to boot, the game puts a fun spin on a familiar genre. See on Steam Manor Lords Though it's still in early access, Manor Lords has quickly gained a following as a deep and engrossing strategy game that encompasses several different types of strategy at once. You'll build a city with complex social and economic systems at play, as well as take part in huge tactical battles against rival lords. Building your civilization from almost nothing and helping it manage trials like an unforgiving winter is so satisfying, and the depth of the game is made even more impressive by it being the work of just one developer . See at Xbox Store Minami Lane Management sims are--by design--a stressful time. Sure, the sense of victory that comes from braving an administrative adventure is second to none, but Minami Lane puts a cozy spin on this genre so that your blood pressure doesn't spike. It's a digestible city-builder with a wholesome vibe that is worth checking out. Monster Train 2 Save the Spire saw a new wave of roguelike deckbuilders follow in its wake, and Monster Train was easily one of the best. The bar was set high for the sequel, but Monster Train 2 is a confident follow-up to the first game that builds on its solid foundation and adds a few new twists and a tremendous amount of replayability. Nine Sols Hollow Knight: Silksong is dominating the metroidvania charts right now, but don't sleep on Nine Sols. Beautifully crafted and featuring a rich hand-drawn art style, the game combines its metroidvania influences with Sekiro-inspired combat to create tense and exciting moments in every level you explore. The smooth animation combined with the responsive controls makes for a winning formula, while the "Taopunk" setting gives the game a unique look and feel. Ninja Gaiden 4 When all the pieces fall together, Ninja Gaiden 4 offers an intoxicating blend of action and challenge. The first mainline entry in many years, Ninja Gaiden 4 is focused purely on gameplay and over-the-top boss fights that'll push you to the very edge of your seat. It's the purest lean-forward game out there, a fast-paced meat-grinder that requires your utmost concentration, but being in the zone with this game is an absolute treat once you start dishing out gruesome combos. The story and its lead protagonist are instantly forgettable, but the experience of scraping through battles against ultra-aggressive enemies and tanky bosses will stay with you long after the credits roll. Read our Ninja Gaiden 4 review . Ori series Both games in Moon Studios’ incredible Ori series are worth playing. Ori and the Blind Forest and its 2020 sequel Ori and the Will of the Wisps are two of the best platformers available on Xbox. Both have stunning visuals and tell emotionally gripping stories that feed off of the atmosphere and well-drawn characters. While they are similar in terms of aesthetic and feel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is more action-oriented, whereas the Blind Forest largely focuses on platforming and exploration. The Will of the Wisps gives Ori new abilities that help them square off against daunting bosses. Both games are brilliant in their own right, and are must-play platformers on Xbox. You should play them in order to get the full emotional weight of the story. Read our Ori and Will of the Wisps review. See Ori and the Blind Forest at Xbox Store See Ori and the Will of the Wisps at Xbox Store The Outer Worlds 2 The Outer Worlds 2 Who knows when Fallout will make its grand return, but until then, The Outer Worlds continues to be a fine substitute for Bethesda's series. To its credit, The Outer Worlds 2 makes great strides in cementing its own identity, as this tongue-in-cheek take on sci-fi adventures from a bygone era and late-stage capitalism run amok puts its own spin on a familiar formula. With combat options that feel more flexible, a quirky cast of characters to meet, and a distinct sense of satire that allows it to poke the corporate space-bear, Obsidian's sequel is a spacefaring delight. Read our The Outer Wilds 2 review . Pentiment One of the most unusual games on Game Pass, or anywhere, Pentiment is an adventure game set in 16th century Bavaria. As a manuscript illustrator sent to an Abbey, you're caught up in a series of murders. The decades-spanning story explores the idea of historical narrative and how truth is recorded and remembered across generations. It's really unlike anything else. Read our Pentiment review . See at Xbox Store Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire The first Pillars of Eternity was a thrilling study in old school RPG gameplay with a modern makeover, but its sequel outdoes the original in almost every way possible. A more confident follow-up that doubles down on its strengths while further refining its formula, Obsidian Entertainment's sophomore effort is an entertaining game filled with rich writing and easily-accessible gameplay for newcomers to the genre. Read our Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire review . See at Xbox Store Psychonauts 2 It's safe to say that there's no game like Psychonauts 2 on the market, as Double Fine's return to the cult-classic world of Razputin Aquato and the titular psychic peacekeeping agency is an absolute mind-blast of imaginative design. Fun to play and packing an emotional wallop with its exploration of several characters and a deep dive into their respective psyches, Psychonauts 2 is both a hilarious and heartfelt effort. Read our Psychonauts 2 review . See at Xbox Store A Plague Tale: Requiem The first Plague Tale was an unexpected hit from a relatively small developer punching above its weight. The sequel could have expanded its scope, but instead, Asobo Studio kept its narrative tightly focused on telling a human story set in an alternative French history. Though the rat-controlling mechanics have been expanded, the story is still concerned primarily with the family dynamics between Hugo and his protective older sister, Amicia. It's also a downright beautiful game, with lush environments that rival those from the biggest AAA studios. Read our A Plague Tale: Requiem review . See at Xbox Store Rematch Football fans don't have much to choose from in the genre, thanks to EA dominating the scene with its annual EA Sports FC series. But in 2025, Sifu developer Sloclap hit the field with a game that felt and played like the polar opposite of EA's franchise. A refreshing skill-based approach to football, Rematch keeps things simple, engaging, and exciting with every footie match. Fun to learn and satisfying to master, recent improvements have addressed the rougher parts of the game, transforming it into a thrilling spectacle of five-a-side football. Read our Rematch review . Resident Evil Village Using the momentum from Resident Evil 7 to push the franchise to gory new heights, 2021's Resident Evil Village continues the terrifying journey of protagonist Ethan Winters. Venturing into a mysterious European village teeming with all manner of new bioweapon horrors, Resident Evil Village plays like a highlight reel of the series with its grotesque monster designs, action-packed horror gameplay, and suspense-fueled design that keeps you on the edge of your seat at all times. Read our Resident Evil Village review . The Rogue Prince of Persia It's a great time to be a Prince of Persia fan, as not only have we gotten the superb metroidvania The Lost Crown, but also Evil Empire's fun roguelike The Rogue Prince of Persia. After spending several months in Steam Early Access, the full game is a terrific love-letter to classic Prince of Persia action, mixing the influences of the older platforming games with plenty of Dead Cells DNA. Where The Rogue Prince of Persia sets itself apart is in its movement and storytelling, as the game is at its best when you're using parkour to smoothly dodge traps and acrobatic combat to weave between enemies as you build up strength for a glorious run. Sea of Thieves A live-service game that's not all about the shooting, Sea of Thieves is Rare's quirky take on a pirate simulator. It's gone through a lot of iterations since it was first released in 2018, so nowadays it's a full-fledged pirate simulator. You can crew your ship and sail the high seas, plunder other ships, find hidden treasure, and even deal with otherworldly pirate ghosts. Read our Sea of Thieves review . See at Xbox Store Slay the Spire Slay the Spire marries deck-building with roguelike systems to create one of the best indies in recent years. Throughout your journey up the Spire, you square off against monsters, uncover treasures, and expand your deck of cards. Slay the Spire's card-based combat is easy to get the hang of but requires trial and error to find success. While you have to start back at the beginning each time you die, you gradually earn new cards, which help you advance further the next time. It’s an intoxicating loop that makes it easy to want to try “one more time” before putting down the controller. Each of Slay the Spire’s four playable characters have unique decks, adding a ton of incentive to brave the Spire for subsequent runs after the credits roll. Read our Slay the Spire review . See at Xbox Store South of Midnight Compulsion Games has repeatedly designed incredible worlds that are rich in atmosphere and intrigue, and South of Midnight is no exception. Set in the American Deep South and inspired by the myths told by the people who live there, South of Midnight encapsulates the sights, sounds, and culture of a place rarely explored in video games and doesn't shy away from delving into the community's hardships and traumas to weave together a fantastical and oftentimes chilling gothic horror tale. The whole experience is brought to life with superb voice acting and a poignant soundtrack, transforming otherwise ordinary moments of combat and platforming into a cinematic experience that's well-worth experiencing. Read our South of Midnight review . Star Wars Outlaws Star Wars Outlaws might be a one-and-done game, but Ubisoft's dive into the seedier underbelly of that famous sci-fi franchise is a thrill ride. Ditching lightsabers for blasters and a shoot-first attitude, Outlaws succeeds in making you feel like a scoundrel as you explore planets, double-cross crime cartels regularly, and do your best to stay off the radar of the Galactic Empire and its seemingly limitless supply of Stormtroopers. Come for the interstellar adventure and stay for the high-stakes Sabacc table in this open-world gem. Read our Star Wars Outlaws review . Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 What's old is new again, as the best Tony Hawk games are kick-flipping their way back into relevance. While we're still not sold on the changes made to THPS4 in this two-for-one special, there's no denying that the subtle changes under the hood and the new coat have paint have helped to successfully bring the series into the modern age of gaming. There's also a healthy amount of new content here that doesn't detract from the nostalgic appeal of these games, making it a must-play for veterans and newcomers alike. Read our Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3+4 review . Tunic Tunic, the long-awaited adventure starring a fox with a sword, is more than just a great Zelda-like. While it harks back to old-school Zelda games in terms of not guiding players toward the objectives, Tunic has its own approach to creating mystery and intrigue. All throughout the world you'll find pages of an instruction manual--really does look like one that would've been packaged with a game in the early '90s--that you have to piece together to learn about the world around you. It does a wonderful job replicating the thrill of discovery found in early Zelda games. Tunic is much harder than Zelda games from a combat perspective, but overcoming each challenge feels like a great triumph. Plus, any combat pains you may have are made worthwhile by gorgeous world that is a joy to explore. Read our Tunic review . See at Xbox Store Wheel World When it comes to gaming, there's nothing in the rulebook that says a cycling game can't cover topics like the apocalypse and ghosts. Wheel World is a prime example of this, as developer Messhof's delightful tour across a colorful world features multiple elements that mesh together well, like gears on an obscenely priced bicycle. Not only does the cycling feel great, but you're given a chance to pedal your way through gorgeous realms with it, ignite your competitive spirit, and trick it out before you save the world from total ruin. The Outer Worlds 2 Obsidian Entertainment's The Outer Worlds was introduced as a spiritual sci-fi successor to Fallout, but the studio has successfully crafted an identity for its spacefaring action-RPG. Combat has been polished up, and choices feel more meaningful than ever, but the real hook is in how you approach the game and build your own legend. Whether you're a bumbling adventurer who fails upwards or an operative who wields sharp blades and even sharper wit, it's all up to you to figure out who you want to be in a solar system ripped apart by factional wars and corporate takeovers. Read our The Outer Worlds 2 review .

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Clash Royale Trade Tokens guide: How to get and where to useSupercell’s Clash Royale is one of the best strategy games available on mobile, and it has over nine years in the running of giving players a fun experience. The game brought us some amazing new features, such as Tower Troops and Card Evolutions, over the years, and among them is the Trade Token system. Table Of Contents What are Trade … The post Clash Royale Trade Tokens guide: How to get and where to use appeared first on GamingonPhone .

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New PS5, PS5 Pro, PS4 Games Release Dates In 2026 And Beyond – All Upcoming PS5, PS5 Pro, PS4 GamesPS5 Games Coming Soon - Check out our comprehensive list of upcoming PS5 games and release dates coming to PlayStation consoles in 2026. The post New PS5, PS5 Pro, PS4 Games Release Dates In 2026 And Beyond – All Upcoming PS5, PS5 Pro, PS4 Games appeared first on PlayStation Universe .

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