Last week, Microsoft announced October 2021's Xbox Free Games with Gold, and like the previous couple of months this current roster saw a positive reception. Two of the games included for October, Castlevania: Harmony of Despair and Aaero, are available to download right now.

For some time now, Microsoft has continued to satisfy its subscribers with a selection of Xbox Games with Gold. However, October 2021's roster stands out among the rest, and could even be considered one of the program's best line-ups so far for two main reasons.

RELATED: The Rumor That Hitman 3 is Coming to Xbox Free Games with Gold May Be Unlikely

Xbox Games with Gold For Halloween

code-veronica-04

The start of October marks the beginning of the spooky season, as Halloween is approaching at the end of the month. Luckily for horror fans, October's line-up of Xbox Games with Gold offers two horror games in time for the holiday. From October 1 to October 15, Xbox Games with Gold subscribers can access Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, which originally released in August 2010.

Although Castlevania: Harmony of Despair is not traditionally a horror game, it still features classic supernatural elements, tasking players to hunt down the persistent Dracula. Additionally, Castlevania: Harmony of Despair marked a departure for the series by focusing on multiplayer, allowing players to form teams of six to pursue the vampire.

For players looking for a real horror game on the roster, October's Xbox Games with Gold will also see the release of the classic survival horror game Resident Evil: Code Veronica. Originally released in 2000, Resident Evil: Code Veronica tells the story of Claire Redfield's search for her brother Chris after she escapes Raccoon City. Code Veronica is considered one of the most challenging Resident Evil games out there, given one mistake can force players to restart from the very beginning.

All of October 2021's Games with Gold Are Worth Playing

castlevania harmony of despair

Apart from these two games being perfect for Halloween, both Castlevania and Resident Evil are popular franchises. This year, the latter released Resident Evil Village, which is expected to receive a DLC expansion soon. While most Xbox Live Gold subscribers are excited with Castlevania and Resident Evil, the other two Xbox Games with Gold titles are also worth trying.

One of the games are available to download for Xbox Live Gold subscribers right now is Aaero. While the game may not be as popular as the others, Aaero is the most recent, having just been released in 2018. Aaero is a rail shooter that features electronic dance music, intuitive controls, and a captivating visual experience. Aaero only runs about two hours on average, but the game offers side missions allowing players to explore the world further.

Lastly, October 2021's Xbox Games with Gold features another recently released title called Hover, a futuristic single and multiplayer parkour game set in a cyberpunk world. While Hover may not be as exciting as the others, it is worth checking out for fans of fast-paced parkour games. In Hover, the playable character is a member of a group of rebels called The Gamers fighting an oppressive regime.

Overall, October 2021's Xbox Games with Gold is probably one of the best Microsoft has offered this year. Not only does it provide popular games most players would want to revisit, it also provides subscribers with two notable titles to play for Halloween. Given Microsoft has been nailing the selection of games in the Xbox Games with Gold program, it is apparent the company is committed to improving the value players get from their subscriptions. Hopefully, this positive trend will carry through the rest of 2021.

MORE: What Xbox Games with Gold Can Learn From Nintendo Switch Online