One Of November 2022's Leavers Rejoins Xbox Game Pass Today (January 5)

But this time it's enhanced

by Ben Kerry Thu 5th Jan 2023

The start of the year has proved a little sporadic for Xbox Game Pass as we continue to await our proper January roundup. However, Stranded Deep was added to the service on Tuesday, and now Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition has arrived after the base game left the library in November 2022.

This action-RPG even received a post-launch patch enabling 60FPS support on Xbox Series S, which is a very nice touch for those playing on Microsoft's all-digital current-gen console.

Here's an introduction to 'Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition', now live on Xbox Game Pass!

Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition (Console, PC)

Mortal Shell is a ruthless and deep action-RPG that tests your sanity and resilience in a shattered world. As the remains of humanity wither and rot, zealous foes fester in the ruins. They spare no mercy, with survival demanding superior awareness, precision and instincts. Track down hidden sanctums of devout followers and discover your true purpose.

Experience the superior way to play the award-winning Mortal Shell. Uncompromised 60fps gameplay, 4K resolution, and ultra high-quality textures.

Will you be playing this RPG as it returns to Xbox Game Pass? Let us know!

Ben is a News Writer at Pure Xbox, and is a fan of action, racing and straight-up shootin' in any Xbox game he can get his hands on. When he's not clutching an Xbox controller like his life depends on it, Ben spends his time listening to music that's far too old for him, watching football on the telly and probably eating somewhere.

1
Widey85
Thu 5th Jan 2023

I'd love to know what on earth they're up to - random GP additions rather than a round-up, and little to no communication.

If they're not going to drop some big show (with only say 48 hours notice as it needs to be very, very soon) of upcoming games and GP drops, they need to explain what's going on with Game Pass.

At this rate, mine is up for renewal but I'm thinking of waiting to see what's coming / the next first party game as it almost looks like they're stopping the big twice-monthly drops...

2
UndyingInsurgent95
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@Kaloudz I tried it. It was horrible lol and I'll leave it at that 🤣

3
Lup
Thu 5th Jan 2023

I did notice this one again but didn't realize it was a Enhanced Edition. It is a Souls-like game so yeah, not really my cup of tea.

4
themightyant
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@Kaloudz Not played it. But several Souls fans I know said it's better than most of the other attempts except NiOh!

But I guess that's the beauty of Game Pass, try it and see for yourself. Though Souls-likes usually take a while to click. I bounced off Demon's Souls on PS3 twice so perhaps a little more patience is needed than more obvious games.

5
teknium_
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@Widey85 and weirdly the two games mentioned the other day(SF30th and diofield chronicle) are available to install via the xbox app but aren't playable.

6
Sveakungen
Thu 5th Jan 2023

It is a good game, but not that exciting since it is just a return...

7
RBRTMNZ
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@Kaloudz It's really good. It lacks the world building of From Soft games but I actually kind of preferred the combat. The shell provides an interesting twist on the light/heavy/block/dodge format and the boss battles are great. As far as soulslikes go I have it third on my list: Jedi Fallen Order, Remnant from the Ashes, Mortal Shell, Nioh, Code Vein.

8
ValentineMeikin
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@teknium_ That something can be installed using the app means nothing. 99% of games can be installed using the app.

No-one except some very dubious leaker thinks either of those games are coming to Game Pass at the moment. I'm already making plans to buy SF30th, I believe their 'announcement' so much.

It's like Hot Wheels, except that WAS announced by Microsoft for Game Pass. Never guarantee anything until it drops.

9
Kraven
Thu 5th Jan 2023

I’ve heard good things about this game so I’ll definitely check it out.

10
IOI
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@Widey85 I seriously can’t believe how bad communication has gotten with Xbox as of late, as I said before it almost feels as if the entire company is at full-stop, no Game Pass announcements, no release dates for games that are supposed to be released within months or weeks, no updates in titles announced 3 years ago, and so on.

After going a full year without a single first-party game now they seem dead in the water with nothing to say at all, it’s just baffling to say the least.

11
Widey85
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@teknium_ @IOI

Yep the communication has suddenly dropped off a cliff since early December - the Twitter accounts are ignoring all questions about "when is the next batch of games?!" and instead posting "We have cosy games" (https://twitter.com/XboxGamePassUK/status/1611018039277019136) and "everything coming soon is coming soon. soon." 2 days ago (https://twitter.com/XboxGamePass/status/1610357859145093122).

It's like they're trolling us at this point - the whole point of GP is regular batches of games joining the service, if it's not kept up there's no point to keep subscribed once you're played the ones you're interested in...

@Kezelpaso @Liam_Doolan @FraserG Don't suppose there's any whispers in the games journalism world about what's going on, or when we can expect the January GP batches? Thanks

12
Grumblevolcano
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@IOI @teknium_ @Widey85 It's probably about the Activision acquisition, the beginning of the major silence (which started with the Game Awards no show) lines up with when the FTC made their move.

13
IOI
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@Grumblevolcano It shouldn’t be, regulators already know every single move from Microsoft so it doesn’t make sense to have no communication at all when they already know everything, it’s a pretty ridiculous excuse for not even announcing Game Pass additions.

If they’re going to be this quiet until the situation settles then they shouldn’t even care about closing the acquisition because at that point the brand will already be dead…

14
themightyant
Thu 5th Jan 2023

Widey85 wrote:

The whole point of GP is regular batches of games joining the service

They added 15 games in December and already have 9 announced for January (there will be more announced later i'm sure) including Persona 3 + 4, Hot Wheels & Monster Hunter Rise all dropping.
What more do you want?

15
el_pieablo
Thu 5th Jan 2023

I thought it was decent. I liked the different shells and their different abilities. The story was usual souls like nonsense but I had fun with it.

16
el_pieablo
Thu 5th Jan 2023

Another souls like I enjoyed was Lords of the Fallen. Couldn't get into Surge

17
Widey85
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@themightyant Many more have left, and Hot Wheels we don't have a date for yet.

And the announced ones are all later in January - if they want to stop doing twice-monthly drops that's fine but at least communicate it

18
Chaudy
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@Widey85 they'll do 1 announcement this month and it'll have Persona games plus monster hunter rise and inkulinati. Maybe some others. Its most likely only 1 batch of games this month, this might a change in model where they only anounce games once a month. Who knows.

19
Widey85
Thu 5th Jan 2023

@Chaudy Yep potentially and it'll be a good drop, just wish they'd tell us if that's the case so expectations can be set

20
MetalGear_Yoshi
Fri 6th Jan 2023

@teknium_ Ah, so something weird is going on. I saw people talking about it in the Stranded Deep comments and thought they were just repeating rumours.

It's funny as I've contemplated buying those recently on sale but held off. Hopefully they do get added.