Microsoft has updated the selection of Xbox Game Pass games yet again, this time to include a brand-new day one release that happens to be one of 2022's highest-rated games. Xbox Game Pass additions are staggered throughout every month, with subscribers often able to look forward to multiple new Game Pass additions per week. This week has certainly been no exception to the rule, as it's already seen multiple games added to the Game Pass lineup.

The week got started with the addition of two games on December 6 in the form of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and Hello Neighbor 2. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is one of the top-selling games of the year, so even though it's a bit older, its addition to the lineup was still significant. Hello Neighbor 2, meanwhile, is a day one release, and those brand-new titles are what really give Game Pass the most value.

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The new Xbox Game Pass additions of today are notable as well. One is the Xbox One version of Metal: Hellsinger, a rhythm-based first-person shooter game that is nominated for Best Score and Music at The Game Awards. The Xbox Series X version of Metal: Hellsinger was added to Game Pass earlier this year as a day one release, but the addition of the Xbox One version means even those that have yet to upgrade their console will be able to check it out through their Game Pass subscription. Metal: Hellsinger is joined by day one release Chained Echoes, which is now one of the highest-rated new video game releases of the entire year.

New Xbox Game Pass Games for December 2022 List

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  • Eastward (Cloud/Consoles/PC) - Available now
  • The Walking Dead: The Final Season (Cloud/Consoles/PC) - Available now
  • Totally Reliable Delivery Service (PC) - Available now
  • LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (Cloud/Consoles/PC) -Available now
  • Hello Neighbor 2 (Cloud/Consoles/PC) - Available now
  • Chained Echoes (Cloud/Consoles/PC) - December 8
  • Metal: Hellsinger (Xbox One) - December 8
  • High on Life (Cloud/Consoles/PC) - December 13
  • Potion Craft (Consoles/PC) - December 13
  • Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan (Cloud/Consoles/PC) - December 15

Chained Echoes reviews have been overwhelmingly positive so far, making it the third-highest rated game of the year behind Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok. Now, it's entirely possible that the Chained Echoes overall review score will come down a bit as more reviews are published, but so far the game is being hailed as one of the best JRPG-style games in years. Critics have praised just about everything the game brings to the table, and it seems safe to say that fans of SNES-era RPGs will especially get a kick out of it. Those interested can check it out through Game Pass across the cloud, consoles, and PC.

Chained Echoes could very well be one of the most significant new Game Pass additions of the entire year, but there's more to look forward to next week. December 13 will see the addition of High on Life, a new day one release from Squanch Games that's been turning heads for its over-the-top humor. There should be even more new Game Pass games for the second half of December, but those have yet to be revealed.

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