Xbox Game Pass heads into the Sept. 12–14 weekend with a fresh wave of arrivals, ongoing updates, and hidden gems—plenty to play, and only so many hours. Whether you’re on Xbox Series X|S, PC, or streaming via the cloud, choosing your next session can be the toughest call. Here are three essential picks primed for weekend play, selected for their timeliness, variety, and ability to fit into short or long sessions.
Starfield — UC Vanguard and Mantis Quest for a High-Value Weekend Sprint
Lock in a productive Starfield weekend by enlisting with UC Vanguard in New Atlantis (Commander Tuala at MAST). The orientation missions and flight simulator deliver fast credits and XP while keeping you in one hub.
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Friday: Join UC Vanguard, complete simulator tiers for rewards, stock up on ammo and Digipicks.
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Saturday: Pursue the “Secret Outpost!” lead to Denebola I-b to trigger the Mantis questline.
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Sunday: Claim the Razorleaf ship (stealth cargo, early advantage) and Mantis suit (stealth and mobility perks).
Recommended skills: Boost Pack Training, Security, Targeting Control Systems, and either Ballistics or Lasers. Bring EM or energy weapons for turret-heavy sections and plenty of Digipicks for the lair.
Halo Infinite — Academy Drills and BR Discipline for Quick Play and BTB Wins
Warm up in Academy Weapon Drills (Battle Rifle Tier 3–4) and a short Bot Bootcamp to sharpen aim and map memory.
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Keep crosshairs at head level and prioritize BR burst timing.
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Pre-aim Overshield/Camo spawns, rotate early, and deny power items with grenades.
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Use Grappleshot for flanks, Drop Wall for duels, and Dynamos for area denial.
Transition from Quick Play to Big Team Battle once your rhythm’s set—anchor power positions, escort objectives, and ride Razorbacks for efficient flag pulls.
Sea of Thieves — Safer Seas Drills then The Shroudbreaker Tall Tale
Start in Safer Seas to practice helm, sails, and cannon roles without PvP pressure. When ready, vote for The Shroudbreaker Tall Tale at any outpost tavern.
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Stock barrels and split roles (captain vs. navigator).
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Photograph or note vault symbols for quick puzzle solving.
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Use chainshots for masts, blunderbuss for boarders, and bucket early to avoid sinking.
Once you complete the tale, head directly to the nearest outpost—no victory laps—to secure rewards and bank a classic pirate story.
Tips Before You Dive In
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Check availability: Some titles or features vary by region/platform—verify in the Game Pass app.
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Cloud play fallback: Preload saves and enable auto-updates if you’ll be away from your console or PC.
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Leaving Soon row: If you’re racing expiring titles, prioritize them first.
