Although 2021 appears to be the year where Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass is destined to get big, the same couldn't be said for the company's other game subscription service, Xbox Live Gold. Apart from losing the feature of having access to free-to-play online multiplayer games, the only benefits Xbox Live Gold subscribers have access to are paid online multiplayer titles and the monthly roster of Games with Gold.
Unfortunately for the latter, Microsoft's Games with Gold for March and April 2021 have been disappointing for fans due to the lackluster titles for Xbox One and the lack of an Xbox Series X/S game. It is still unclear why Microsoft is unable to replicate February's fantastic roster. However, should Microsoft decide to step up its approach, here is a wishlist of games that could turn the direction of Xbox Live Gold for the better.
Evergate (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One)
Since the release of the Xbox Series X and Series S last November, Microsoft has only offered one game for the latest generation of Xbox consoles, which sets the service behind Sony's PS Plus that has been offering PS5 games on its service from the get-go. Should Microsoft decide to include an Xbox Series X/S next month, the 2D puzzle platformer Evergate may be the perfect game to start thanks to its gorgeous visuals, amazing soundtrack, and satisfying gameplay. In the game, players meet Ki, a child-like spirit investigating their mysterious connection to another soul.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (Xbox One)
Another game that would fit perfectly to May 2021's roster of free games is Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Released in 2019, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice follows a shinobi known as Wolf, who is on a mission to exact revenge on a samurai clan who kidnapped his lord. Since its release, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice received favorable reviews thanks to its focus on stealth, exploration, and extremely difficult combat.
What Remains of Edith Finch (Xbox One)
Made by the creators of The Unfinished Swan, What Remains of Edith Finch is widely regarded as the best game in the walking simulator genre. In the game, players discover the titular character Edith Finch who returns to her childhood home after being away for several years. As Edith unfolds the story of how her relatives passed, players will switch between playing as Edith and her family members, with each encounter telling a short story that is both emotional and impactful.
Fable 3 (Xbox 360)
Although the next Fable game has been officially confirmed, its release date remains a mystery and is widely assumed to be a few years away. However, while waiting for the launch of Fable 4 on the Xbox Series X, Microsoft could make the wait for the new game a little easier by releasing Fable 3 as a free game on Xbox Live Gold. Released in 2010, Fable 3 received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics thanks to its amazing story, complete with humor one could expect from a Fable game.
Alan Wake (Xbox 360)
Before Remedy Entertainment released Control, currently available on the Xbox Game Pass, the studio was known for Alan Wake. Released in 2010 for the Xbox 360, Alan Wake follows the story of a best-selling thriller novelist as he investigates his wife's disappearance in the fictional town of Bright Falls, Washington. The game received positive reviews from critics thanks to its gorgeous visuals, memorable soundtrack, and the perfect pacing of its story. Alan Wake even made the number one spot of Time magazine's list of top 10 video games of 2010, making it a perfect game for next month's roster of free Games with Gold.