Could Xbox Game Pass Be The Death Of Slow Burn Games?

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When Game Pass debuted in 2017, it wasn’t entirely original as it was seen as a rival to PlayStation Now (now part of PlayStation Plus). In essence, it resembled the EA Play subscription available on both Xbox One and PS4. While Sony can claim they were the pioneers of subscription services, it could be argued that Microsoft has excelled in this area. For instance, users can play games offline without the need for streaming.

With Game Pass, you’ll find a wealth of day-one releases compared to PS Plus, which offers fewer. Additionally, if you have an Ultimate subscription, you can utilize PC Game Pass as well. Notably, Game Pass serves as a thriving platform for indie games that may struggle to gain traction otherwise.

The service revolutionized how people engage with video games, making it more similar to consuming other types of media. It offers numerous games for a monthly subscription fee, just like Netflix, which reduces the financial and time commitment typically required. Instead of spending a lot of money on games we might not like, we can effortlessly switch between them if they don’t hold our attention, requiring less investment from us in terms of both money and dedication.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve always been intrigued by how services like Game Pass might influence game development strategies, but my curiosity has intensified while immersing myself in Avowed. With so many options readily available to us, it makes me wonder if the era of slow-burn games like this one is coming to an end, as we can easily move on from a game that doesn’t immediately capture our attention.

What Is A Slow Burn Game?

I categorize ‘slow burn games’ as extensive titles that gradually build up over time, typically these are massive RPGs lasting from tens to hundreds of hours, characterized by rich narratives and compelling stories. Games like Red Dead Redemption 2, hailed by many as one of the greatest ever made, present a complex tale unfolding across an entire nation – it’s known for its challenging opening act. Yakuza 0, one of my all-time favorite games, also narrates an equally epic story filled with drama, crime, and absurdity.

1. In Persona 5, a game that clocks in at around 100 hours even if you stick solely to the main plot, key mechanics aren’t introduced until deep into the gameplay. On the other hand, Death Stranding deliberately takes its time, moving slowly and making you perform repetitive chores as you progress.

2. Persona 5 is a 100-hour game, but if you focus only on the main story, key mechanics won’t be introduced until later in the game. Conversely, Death Stranding intentionally moves at a snail’s pace, requiring you to do tedious tasks as part of the experience.

3. Persona 5 is a lengthy 100-hour game, and even if you focus solely on the main narrative, key mechanics won’t be introduced until well into the game. Contrastingly, Death Stranding prefers to move slowly and make players perform routine tasks as they progress through the game.

4. In Persona 5, a game that takes about 100 hours to complete if you follow only the main storyline, essential mechanics aren’t introduced until further into the gameplay. However, Death Stranding deliberately moves at a snail’s pace and requires players to perform repetitive tasks throughout.

5. Persona 5 is a game that lasts approximately 100 hours if you stick to the main storyline, but crucial mechanics aren’t introduced until later in the game. In contrast, Death Stranding purposely moves slowly and demands players to perform mundane tasks as they progress through the game.

6. Persona 5 is a game that requires around 100 hours if you focus on the main plot alone, but its core mechanics aren’t introduced until further along. On the other hand, Death Stranding prefers to move at a leisurely pace, making players perform monotonous tasks as they advance in the game.

7. In Persona 5, a game that can take up to 100 hours if you only follow the main narrative, key mechanisms are not introduced until deep into the gameplay. On the other hand, Death Stranding deliberately moves at a snail’s pace and demands players to perform repetitive chores throughout their progression in the game.

8. Persona 5 is a game that lasts around 100 hours if you solely follow the main storyline, but its essential mechanics aren’t introduced until later in the gameplay. Death Stranding, on the other hand, moves slowly and requires players to perform repetitive tasks as they progress through the game.

9. Persona 5 is a game that takes around 100 hours to complete if you only focus on the main storyline, but core mechanics aren’t introduced until further along in the gameplay. In contrast, Death Stranding moves slowly and requires players to perform routine tasks as they progress through the game.

10. Persona 5 is a 100-hour game if you stick solely to the main storyline, but its key mechanics aren’t introduced until later in the gameplay. In contrast, Death Stranding moves at a snail’s pace and requires players to perform repetitive tasks as they progress through the game.

Initially, some video games didn’t instantly captivate me; it took me a couple of tries to immerse myself in Persona 5, and I must admit, Death Stranding left me feeling rather unengaged during my numerous attempts. However, what truly amazes me is the fervent love these games elicit from their dedicated fan bases, who appreciate them precisely due to their intricate design and unique storytelling.

Let’s look at the playtime for these games in comparison to Xbox’s latest and upcoming Day One Game Pass releases: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 can be completed in less than ten hours, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle takes approximately 25 hours (including side missions), Avowed is around 40 hours long if you explore everything, and South of Midnight might take about 12 hours to finish. The Outer Worlds 2 may not exceed its predecessor’s playtime of under 30 hours.

While it’s challenging to predict the exact duration of games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Fable, it’s important to mention that both Doom and The Outer Worlds 2 are planned for multi-platform launches.

Instead of focusing on intricate role-playing games demanding extensive commitment or complex narratives, Xbox seems to prioritize titles that acknowledge players’ time constraints.

Do Game Pass Games Get To Be Slow Burns?

It’s quite possible due to the feedback from players, who prefer compact games without excessive content added solely to extend playtime – and I happen to be among those individuals.

While it may seem these colossal games have vanished, they haven’t. They’re simply not featured on Game Pass. For instance, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth requires roughly 80 hours with additional content, much like ReFantazio. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth exceeds 90 hours, making up only half of a trilogy that reimagines the classic JRPG, originally concluded in 50 hours within a single game. These games, all released last year, have flourished and even earned nominations at The Game Awards. I would categorize them as ‘slow burners’.

These games aren’t essential for Game Pass. They had a strong enough fanbase to thrive independently, and they did just that without any added support. However, the key point isn’t whether these games were reliant on the service or not, but rather that they didn’t quite fit the typical mold of what we consider as Game Pass titles.

Avowed is one of the games available through Game Pass. Compared to the other three I’ve mentioned, it might not appeal as widely. Although Obsidian Entertainment is a renowned and adored studio, the world of Pillars of Eternity doesn’t have the same recognition as Yakuza, Persona, or Final Fantasy. Instead, it’s more like a cult classic, less mainstream than blockbuster hits. The reason it’s on Game Pass is likely due to its shorter length – approximately half that of any Pillars of Eternity game – and the fact that it comes from a less popular series.

Is the game shorter due to necessity or because it needed to fit the Game Pass profile? It could be argued that a larger game justifies the subscription cost more. However, I’m not convinced that’s always true. If it’s simple to switch between numerous games in the catalog, does this mean Avowed had to be more Game Pass-friendly to attract players accustomed to this service model? And if this is the case with Avowed, will all future Xbox exclusives follow suit?

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2025-03-06 00:25