Xbox Game Pass has received a number of great titles to close out 2021. There have been some blockbuster titles such as Forza Horizon 5, but those have also been accompanied by smaller games that many Xbox Game Pass subscribers likely hadn't heard of before their addition. Adding underrated or obscure games to Game Pass is what makes the subscription service exceptional. Not only is it a great value for gamers, but it also is a fantastic way for Xbox players to discover and try games that they normally wouldn't have heard about or wanted to spend additional money on.
One of the more recent additions that many subscribers likely don't know much about is Generation Zero. Developed and published by Systemic Reaction, Generation Zero is an open-world first-person shooter that is set in an alternate reality version of Sweden. The game takes place in 1989, but is also post-apocalyptic, as the country has become overrun by robots that are efficient at killing humans. The player takes control of a teenager who is returning to their hometown only to discover that everybody has disappeared. From there, players have to both discover what became of them, as well as defeat the killer robots that have taken hold.
What to Expect from Generation Zero on Game Pass
While Generation Zero is primarily an open-world shooter, it is also a survival game. Players are at a severe disadvantage against the army of robots throughout its setting. To survive, players have to manage their resources well, loot as much as possible, and pick opportune moments to strike.
Sneaking through the map and looting buildings for supplies and resources has been compared to games like State of Decay, while its high-stakes combat requires players to use their equipment wisely and know when it's best to just run away. Throughout the game, players can tackle different missions that take them across the map to earn better gear and unravel the narrative, and the game's world is constantly evolving with a dynamic weather system, day/night cycle, and updates from the developers.
The biggest of those updates has been Generation Zero's Resistance update. This update introduced an entirely new base-building mechanic that is similar to player camps in Fallout 76. Once players build their bases they have to defend themselves from waves of machine hordes and can unlock new craftable gear to help give them the upper hand, such as experimental ammo types. The update is included in the base game for all players, and adds a new layer to surviving Sweden's machine apocalypse.
One of the best parts of Generation Zero is that it is fully playable in up to four player co-op - with crossplay available for those on Xbox and PC. Players are able to jump in and out of one another's games at any time to tackle some of its bigger challenges together, before splitting the loot and returning to their own games. If players want, they can even play through the entire game together, with each player able to customize their strengths to complement one another.
The system is great at allowing friends to play together no matter how much time they have spent on their own, while also ensuring that everyone gets rewards and continues progressing. There is a great variety of co-op titles already offered on Xbox Game Pass, but Generation Zero offers a unique experience through how open-ended its gameplay and world are.
Generation Zero is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.