Remember, remember, there are free games in November. That's right, it's time for more freebies to play this weekend and beyond. Put some headphones on, tune out those fireworks that inexplicably started exploding a week before bonfire night, and tune in to some gaming goodness.
This week, I've got some real variety for you as winter approaches and the nights become ever-darker. From supernatural city-building to cozy baggage-handling, you're bound to find a freebie that floats your boat this week.
One Small Step
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The Halloween scary season is over, so The Epic Games Store is no longer giving out a free trick every week. It's only lovely treats from now on.
Aven Colony is a game about humans colonising an alien planet, light-years away from home on Earth. You're managing and overseeing the city's growth from the very beginning, fighting off tides of fearsome baddies and attempting to survive in a harsh alien environment.
Just watch out for scary tentacle aliens.
A Stunning Game Pass Showing
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Xbox Game Pass just keeps on chuggin'. November has come, and we're seeing an absolutely astounding number of titles make it onto the subscription service.
It Takes Two is a game I'm yet to try, but now it's coming to Game Pass I'll be grabbing a friend and forcing them to play it with me. With both couch co-op and the opportunity to play online, it's a super charming-looking adventure title with themes revolving around relationships and family. I loved A Way Out, developer Hazelight Studios' debut title, and It Takes Two should be able to engender the same level of camaraderie between me and whoever I can convince to sit on a sofa with me for hours on end. On Phil's review recommendation, it's well worth a shot.
Unpacking has been a huge hit since its release, with players praising its calming gameplay, trance-like experience, and familiarity. Well, players can now praise its price of £0 to Game Pass subscribers too.
I was curious about Unpacking thanks to its lovely-looking visual style and satisfying mechanics, but it'll definitely get a chance now. It's on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One's Game Passes too, so no excuses.
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It's a fascinating experience to learn about a character you never see based only on their possessions and living space. Maybe you'd be able to tell a lot about me by analysing my last few house moves (aside from the fact that I have too many Things).
Maybe it's mostly fun for people because of the escapism that comes from making unpacking an activity that isn't the most inconvenient stress ever, with that one box in the corner you haven't got around to unpacking just constantly staring at you, judging.
Finally, Kill It With Fire is one I'll be skipping, but only as an arachnophobe. This game has you killing spiders in outrageously over-the-top ways, causing collateral damage to the world around you. Hmm, maybe it'd be therapeutic, actually. Ewan certainly thinks so.
Bones Day
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In case you missed it last week - Backbone has made it onto Xbox Game Pass. Playing as anthropomorphic raccoon private detective Howard Lotor (what a description), you're tasked with exploring a dystopian version of Vancouver, British Columbia and solving a number of mysteries.
Imogen enjoyed it in her review. "If you are looking for a deeply interesting world with complex and unsettling themes which will stick with you, I'd recommend you give it a go."
It's not for you if you're after a murder mystery adventure, but what you'll get is a whole lot bleaker.
Another reason to play Backbone? That art. Vancouver looks utterly gorgeous in pixely perfection, and I'm desperate to go have a wander around this version of the city.
PlayStation Owners Aren't Left Out
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The new PS Plus games for November are out now too! PS Plus subscribers have a solid showing this month, with a variety of treats depending on your preferences.
Knockout City is the first one up. This action-packed dodgeball game came out in May 2021, but it passed me by on its initial go-round. Now it's definitely worth a look though - I'll be squadding up with a few friends to see if it brings the hectic action the trailers promise.
First Class Trouble looks like a really interesting social deduction experience that will benefit greatly from hopping onto PS Plus. If you want to scratch that Among Us itch but fancy something a little fancier, this might just be the game for you. Four people must try to stop a rogue A.I. on a luxury ship, whilst two are tasked with helping the robots win. Now it's on PS Plus, it should be a lot easier to get a whole group of pals together to give it a go. It's available on both PS4 and PS5.
Finally, for PS4 players, we have Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning. It's an action-packed fantasy RPG by the lead designer of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion so it's worth taking a look if you get the opportunity. Originally released in 2012 and remade as Re-Reckoning last year, you'll need both skill and strategy to thrive in Amalur.
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Have a great weekend with all these new freebies! It'll be a firework-filled one, but hopefully, the dark skies can be brightened by the blue glow of your monitor as you cuddle up with a loved one (or a tub of ice cream) and treat yourself.
Featured Image Credit: Electronic Arts / Mothership EntertainmentTopics: Free Games