Last month was a fairly decent month for Microsoft's Games with Gold program, with the company offering the likes of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition on Xbox One and Crysis 3 on Xbox 360. With the announcement that all Games with Gold games on Xbox 360 moving forward will eventually be backward compatible with Xbox One, it should greatly increase the value of Games with Gold for those that own Microsoft's newer console.

While last month was a decent month that offered four brand new games, October's offerings are pretty disappointing, especially when one takes into account the upcoming Xbox 360 backward compatibility. Simply put, those that own both an Xbox One and Xbox 360, aka the Xbox faithful and fans that Microsoft should be catering to, may not be too thrilled with October's Games with Gold.

First, on the Xbox One side, there is the excellent Ubisoft title Valiant Hearts: The Great War. Set during World War I, Valiant Hearts is a heartbreaking story that spans multiple characters as they try to survive through the perils of war. The game was previously a free game with PlayStation Plus, so Microsoft is a little late to the party in that regard, but it's a fantastic game nevertheless. Valiant Hearts will become free for Xbox Live Gold subscribers beginning October 1st, and will remain free through the service until the end of the month.

The second free Xbox One game is the first season of The Walking Dead from Telltale Games. This critically acclaimed episodic adventure game is another solid addition to the Games with Gold lineup, and is definitely a game worth experiencing for those that, for whatever reason, haven't taken the plunge yet. The Walking Dead game will be available from October 16th to November 15th as a free download to Gold subscribers.

Now, when we get to the free Xbox 360 games, that's when things start getting pretty disappointing. First of all, the game that will be available from October 1st to October 15th for Xbox 360 gamers is Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes, the underwhelming prologue to the recently released and much better Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain (read our review). Ground Zeroes would be a decent inclusion any other time, but the fact is it's already been a free Games with Gold game, as it was one of the free Xbox One Games with Gold titles in August. This is good news for those that only own an Xbox 360, but Xbox One owners expecting four different free games in October may feel a little cheated.

Unfortunately, it gets worse from there. The other free Xbox 360 Games with Gold title for October, to be free from October 16th to October 31st is none other than the first season of Telltale's The Walking Dead. The Xbox faithful that own both consoles probably feel a little annoyed this month, but it's probably a sign of Microsoft phasing out Games with Gold on Xbox 360 altogether by making it redundant.

It's hard not to be disappointed with October's Games with Gold offerings for those that own both an Xbox 360 and Xbox One, but for gamers that have yet to experience Valiant Hearts or The Walking Dead, it should still be a pretty decent month of free gaming. Also be sure to remember to download September's free Games with Gold before they expire next month.

Source: Major Nelson