I love Game Pass; it's like having a library of games at your fingertips, with over 400 titles available for a single monthly subscription fee. With Game Pass, I can explore a variety of genres, from action-adventure to strategy, from sports to puzzle games. It's a great way to discover new titles that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to play otherwise. Plus, I can try out a dozen or so games at a time, really getting a feel for what I like and what I don't. For any avid gamer, Game Pass is an amazing way to stay up to date on the latest releases and discover hidden gems.
But the issue with Game Pass is that, in many cases, it only provides the base version of the game. All DLC must be purchased separately, which can add up quickly. For example, one of my favorite games, Dead Cells, is available on Game Pass, but the four DLCs must be purchased separately. This can be a bit of a bummer, especially if you want to experience the full game, but don't want to spend too much money. I would have been okay with buying them if they were reasonably priced, but I have found that games and their DLCs are usually cheaper on Steam than on Game Pass.
Steam also offers discounts under "Complete Your Collection" on downloadable content (DLC) if you already own the game. Additionally, every few months there is a sale with which you can get the game at a discounted price. Therefore, if you are looking to purchase a game and all of its additional content, you may be better off looking to Steam, rather than Gamepass, as you can often get more for your money with the discounts and sales that Steam offers.
Owning the game is also a factor; if a game I'm playing leaves Game Pass and I buy it on Steam due to its lower prices, my progress and achievements won't be transferred. This can be seen in the case of Dead Cells, which is available on Game Pass, but I still opt for buying it on Steam, as it allows me to keep my saves and achievements intact. Therefore, even though Gamepass offers great convenience for gamers, it's important to consider the long-term implications of not being able to transfer progress should you choose to switch platforms.
I'll still pay for Gamepass and enjoy the benefits of the subscription service, such as the library of first-party titles, which usually comes with all the extra content and updates for free. I am also interested in one-off indie titles and other games without DLC, which I just want to experience for the pure joy of playing them. Sometimes, I don't even want to own the full game, just try it out, finish it, and then move on to something else.
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