Minecraft Dungeons was a great game at launch, and a consistent supply of new content and missions has given it some impressive legs. The character creation screen allows for the sort of creativity that, in the original game, comes from how you build your structures. After a few hours, you’ll pick up on the basics of building up your character with the best gear using different “enchantments,” which are basically random buffs added to weapon drops. You’ll learn how to attack, heal, and earn loot in the first mission. It’s also a game that’s immediately satisfying.

Minecraft Dungeons review: elegant, family-friendly dungeon-crawling We hope you decide to give some of these a shot, whether you’re playing with your family group at home on the same screen, or playing online with voice chat. We also attempted to avoid the most obvious choices here it’s always nice to try new things, especially when the only thing you have to lose, thanks to Game Pass, is a little bit of time. Many of these games are about spending time together, and being together in a way that feels better than just a phone call or a text message. A good game, played with friends and family, is a shared experience you’re all (hopefully) emotionally invested in doing the best you can, and in finding a sense of meaning and belonging in the challenges the game offers you.

These 10 online games from Microsoft’s Game Pass Ultimate service all offer that sense of community and togetherness that we may be missing during this holiday season. It’s going to be a difficult holiday without a safe way to see our loved ones. Or maybe everyone in your family is healthy, and you’re being responsible by not having a large gathering. We may be sick, or have sick family members. So many of us are lonely during this holiday season.

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