Game Pass Game of the Week: Frog Sqwad

This week’s Game Pass Game of the Week is Frog Sqwad, a charming co-op puzzle adventure that’s easy to pick up, fun to master, and well worth downloading if you’re looking for something different to play with friends.

Right away, Frog Sqwad stands out with its colorful presentation and playful personality. It doesn’t overwhelm you with complicated mechanics or lengthy tutorials. Instead, it focuses on accessible gameplay that’s enjoyable from the moment you jump in while offering enough challenge to keep everyone engaged.

One of the game’s biggest highlights is its cooperative gameplay. Supporting up to eight players, Frog Sqwad is a fantastic choice for friend groups and families looking for a game everyone can enjoy together. The puzzle-focused gameplay encourages teamwork, communication, and plenty of laughs as you work together to solve each challenge. It’s the kind of game that’s just as entertaining with two players as it is with a full squad.

Another reason I’m recommending Frog Sqwad is because it’s an Xbox Play Anywhere title. That’s a feature I always appreciate because it lets me move seamlessly between my Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC, and Xbox Ally X using the same purchase and shared saves. I can start playing on my console, continue on my handheld, and pick right back up later on my PC without losing any progress.

That flexibility fits a game like Frog Sqwad perfectly. Since it’s built around quick, satisfying sessions, it’s easy to jump in for a few puzzles whenever you have time, no matter which device you’re using.

If you’re looking for a co-op game that doesn’t rely on constant shooting or endless grinding, Frog Sqwad offers something refreshingly different. Its blend of teamwork, puzzle-solving, and lighthearted presentation makes it a great option for game nights or simply relaxing with friends after a long day.

If you’re browsing Game Pass this week, don’t skip over Frog Sqwad. Between its charming style, enjoyable cooperative puzzles, support for up to eight players, and Xbox Play Anywhere support, it’s an easy recommendation and another reminder that some of the most enjoyable games are the ones you decide to try on a whim.

Game Pass Game of the Week: Junkster

Xbox Game Pass is often associated with major releases, massive RPGs, and blockbuster franchises, but some of the service’s most enjoyable experiences come from games that fly under the radar. Junkster is a perfect example. It’s creative, approachable, and packed with personality, offering something completely different from the shooters, action games, and sprawling open worlds that usually dominate most players’ libraries.

At first glance, Junkster might not look like a game that demands your attention. It isn’t backed by a massive marketing campaign, nor is it trying to deliver a hundred-hour adventure. Instead, it focuses on something much simpler: being fun.

What immediately stands out about Junkster is its creativity. The game embraces its quirky premise and unique identity, creating an experience that feels refreshingly different from many modern releases. There’s a sense of humor and charm throughout the game that makes it easy to enjoy, whether you’re spending a few minutes experimenting with its systems or settling in for a longer play session.

Rather than chasing trends, Junkster focuses on giving players interesting challenges, rewarding curiosity, and encouraging experimentation. That approach gives the game a personality that’s difficult to find in many larger-budget releases. It feels comfortable being its own thing, and that’s part of its appeal.

The gameplay loop is easy to understand but surprisingly engaging. It’s the kind of game that constantly encourages you to say, “I’ll just play one more round,” before realizing far more time has passed than you originally planned. That accessibility makes it approachable for players of all experience levels while still providing enough depth to keep things interesting.

It’s also exactly the type of game that benefits from being included in Xbox Game Pass.

One of the biggest strengths of Game Pass is its ability to introduce players to games they may never have purchased outright. Most subscribers are quick to download the latest blockbuster release, but some of the service’s best experiences come from taking a chance on something unexpected. Junkster perfectly represents that side of Game Pass.

Without the pressure of a separate purchase, players can jump in, explore what the game has to offer, and quickly discover why it’s earned a growing following. It’s a reminder that Game Pass isn’t just about the biggest games in the industry—it’s also about uncovering experiences that might otherwise be overlooked.

Another advantage is that Junkster doesn’t require a huge time investment. It’s easy to pick up and play in short sessions, making it an excellent choice between larger RPGs or lengthy story-driven adventures. Whether you have fifteen minutes or a few hours, it’s the kind of game that fits comfortably into almost any gaming schedule.

If your Game Pass library is currently filled with shooters, action games, and sprawling open-world adventures, Junkster offers a welcome change of pace. It’s creative, accessible, and full of personality.

Junkster won’t be the game everyone is talking about this week, but that’s exactly why it deserves attention. It’s the kind of hidden gem that reminds you Xbox Game Pass isn’t just about the biggest releases—it’s also about discovering experiences you might never have tried otherwise. If you’re looking for something different, Junkster is well worth adding to your download queue.

Game Pass Game of the Week: Where Winds Meet

One of the best things about Xbox Game Pass is its ability to introduce players to games they might never have considered trying otherwise. Sometimes those games become unexpected favorites, and Where Winds Meet looks like it has all the ingredients to be one of those experiences.

While I haven’t had the chance to dive into it myself yet, everything I’ve seen suggests that Where Winds Meet is one of the most intriguing additions currently available on Game Pass.

Set in a stunning world inspired by ancient China, the game immediately stands out from the crowd. The landscapes, architecture, and atmosphere offer something refreshingly different from the fantasy settings that dominate much of the RPG genre. From mist-covered mountains to bustling villages and sprawling countryside, the world appears designed to encourage exploration and discovery.

What makes Where Winds Meet especially appealing is its emphasis on player freedom. Rather than simply guiding players from one objective marker to the next, the game seems focused on letting players forge their own path through its open world. The sense of adventure and curiosity shown in gameplay footage has been one of its biggest selling points.

Combat also appears to be a major highlight. Inspired by martial arts traditions and wuxia storytelling, battles look fluid, stylish, and cinematic. Combined with the game’s traversal mechanics and open-ended exploration, it creates an experience that feels distinct from many modern action RPGs.

That’s ultimately why Where Winds Meet has caught my attention.

At a time when many open-world games can start to feel formulaic, Where Winds Meet appears to prioritize immersion, atmosphere, and player-driven discovery. Those are qualities that many gamers, myself included, are always looking for.

It’s also exactly the kind of game that benefits from being included with Xbox Game Pass. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the genre or setting, there’s very little downside to downloading it and seeing if it clicks with you.

For that reason alone, Where Winds Meet earns Green Pulse Wire’s Game Pass Game of the Week recommendation. Sometimes the best Game Pass discoveries are the games you weren’t expecting to play at all.

Game Pass Game of the Week: Control

Sometimes the best Game Pass games aren't the newest additions—they're the ones worth revisiting at exactly the right moment.

That's why Control is this week's Game Pass Game of the Week.

With Control Resonant expected later this year, now is the perfect time to return to Remedy Entertainment's 2019 supernatural action-adventure or experience it for the first time if you somehow missed it.

What makes Control stand out years later is its atmosphere. The mysterious Federal Bureau of Control and its ever-changing headquarters, known as the Oldest House, remain one of the most memorable settings in modern gaming. Every hallway, office, and hidden corner feels like it has a story waiting to be discovered.

Remedy's signature style is on full display here. The game blends mystery, supernatural events, and environmental storytelling into an experience that feels unlike anything else on Game Pass. Even in 2026, Control still feels fresh.

The gameplay holds up remarkably well too. Combining fast-paced gunplay with powerful supernatural abilities creates combat encounters that are both satisfying and visually impressive. Whether you're launching objects across rooms or levitating above enemies, Control never loses its unique identity.

The timing is what makes this week's recommendation easy.

Many players experienced Control during its original release or its first Game Pass run back in 2020. Others skipped it entirely. With the sequel approaching, revisiting the original now feels like the perfect way to prepare for what's next while refreshing yourself on one of gaming's most intriguing worlds.

If you've never played Control, now is the time. And if it's been a few years since your last visit to the Oldest House, there's a good chance you'll appreciate it even more today than you did the first time around.

Game Pass Game of the Week: Planet of Lana II

I loved the first Planet of Lana, so going into the sequel I honestly had one big concern: would it lose the quiet magic that made the original feel so special? Thankfully, after spending time with Planet of Lana II, that fear disappeared almost immediately.

This still feels like Planet of Lana.

That same cinematic side-scrolling adventure design is here, along with the peaceful-but-melancholic atmosphere that made the first game stick with me long after the credits rolled. The art direction is still gorgeous, the music still carries emotional weight without overpowering the experience, and the world once again feels alive in a way that few games in this genre really capture.

What surprised me most though is how naturally the sequel evolves the gameplay.

The companion mechanics feel smarter and more involved this time around, and the puzzles do a much better job of building on your abilities without slowing the pacing down. There are more systems at play now, but it never feels like the game is trying to become something completely different. Instead, it feels like the developers understood exactly what players connected with in the first game and simply expanded on it with more confidence.

That balance is hard to pull off.

A lot of sequels either play things too safe or overcomplicate what originally worked. Planet of Lana II somehow threads the needle between both approaches. It adds meaningful gameplay improvements while still maintaining the calm, emotional identity that made the first game memorable in the first place.

The visual storytelling continues to be one of the biggest strengths too. There are moments where the game barely says anything directly, but the environments, animation, and music communicate everything you need to feel. It has that rare ability to slow you down without becoming boring, and that’s part of why these games stand out so much in today’s constant rush toward bigger and louder experiences.

It also feels perfect for Game Pass.

This is exactly the kind of game people discover on the service and end up remembering for years. Not because it was the biggest release of the month of April, but because it delivers something more personal and artistic in between all the giant AAA games fighting for attention.

If you loved the first Planet of Lana, the sequel absolutely feels worth your time. And if you somehow missed the original, this series continues to be one of the easiest recommendations on Game Pass for players looking for a beautiful, thoughtful adventure with heart.

Sometimes the smaller experiences are the ones that stick with you the longest.

Game Pass Game(s) of the Week — Forza Horizon 6 & Luna Abyss

This week we have two games because Forza Horizon 6 is an absolute must-play right now, but Luna Abyss also has me extremely curious. They could not be more different from each other, yet both feel like perfect examples of the kind of variety that keeps me constantly checking what is hitting Game Pass next.

Forza Horizon 6 immediately reminds you why the Horizon series became such a massive deal in the first place. The Japan setting absolutely carries the game’s vibe, whether you are drifting through neon-lit city streets at night or flying down mountain roads while the soundtrack kicks in. Playground Games somehow keeps making these worlds feel relaxing and chaotic at the same time. It is the kind of game where you log in planning to race for 20 minutes and suddenly realize three hours disappeared. On the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X, it honestly feels incredible as a handheld experience. Horizon has always been easy to jump into, but Horizon 6 especially nails that “one more race” feeling better than almost anything else out right now.

Then there is Luna Abyss, which feels like it is landing at exactly the right time. If you have been looking at games like Saros and wishing Xbox had more of that intense sci-fi bullet hell energy in its lineup, this feels like it could scratch that itch. The atmosphere already looks heavy and unsettling in a good way, while the fast movement and nonstop enemy pressure give it that addictive rhythm fans of the genre love. It has the vibe of a game that could quietly build a cult following once people get their hands on it through Game Pass.

Forza Horizon 6 is available now on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, while Luna Abyss arrives May 21 on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Whether you want to relax behind the wheel for hours or survive a screen full of chaos, this week feels stacked.

Game Pass Game of the Week: Call of the Elder Gods

Available on Game Pass today, Call of the Elder Gods feels less like a traditional horror game and more like stepping into an interactive cosmic mystery. The deeper you go, the stranger and more unsettling the world becomes, leaning heavily into atmosphere, ancient secrets, and psychological tension instead of cheap scares or nonstop action.

It’s also a refreshingly focused experience at roughly six hours long, making it an easy Game Pass recommendation for anyone wanting something story-driven with a darker, eerie vibe. Definitely the kind of game best played late at night with headphones on.

Game Pass Game of the Week: Mixtape

Mixtape already feels like it could become one of this year’s Game Pass standouts on Xbox. The coming-of-age vibe, nostalgic soundtrack, and stylized visuals give it a very different energy from most games hitting Game Pass lately.

As an xbox Play Anywhere title, now’s the perfect time to get this one on your radar.

Is Mixtape on your must-play list, or are you waiting to see the early reactions first?

See launch trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQoEd5rnxiQ