Xbox Game Pass Essential Gets Two Surprise Additions

Did you notice two new games pop up on Xbox Game Pass Essential recently? If not, you're not alone. Microsoft hasn't said a word about it, but both No Man's Sky and theHunter: Call of the Wild are now available on the service's cheapest tier.

This isn't the first time games have been added to Game Pass Essential without any official announcement. Over the past few months, Microsoft has made a habit of quietly dropping titles into the tier, leaving players to discover them on their own. It's a bit odd, especially when you consider how much fanfare usually accompanies Game Pass additions.

For those unfamiliar, Xbox Game Pass Essential is the most affordable version of Microsoft's subscription service. It gives you access to a rotating library of games, but without some of the perks of the higher tiers, like day-one releases or cloud gaming. Still, it's a solid entry point if you're looking to game on a budget.

No Man's Sky needs little introduction. Hello Games' ambitious space exploration sim has come a long way since its rocky launch, evolving into a sprawling universe of planets, creatures, and base-building. It's the kind of game you can sink hundreds of hours into without scratching the surface.

The hunter: Call of the Wild, on the other hand, offers a more grounded experience. It's a realistic hunting simulation where patience and precision matter. If you're into tracking animals across vast open landscapes, this one's for you.

So why the silence? Your guess is as good as ours. Maybe Microsoft is testing the waters with shadow drops, or perhaps they just want to see if players notice. Either way, it's a pleasant surprise for subscribers.

If you're on Game Pass Essential, these two are worth checking out. And if you're not subscribed, this might be the nudge you need. Will you be downloading either of these? Let us know in the comments!