The best Game Pass games for the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X
The ROG Ally and ROG Ally X pack enough horsepower to run some of the most demanding games, and with three months of Microsoft’s Game Pass included out of the box, you’ve got an instant treasure trove of critically acclaimed AAA and indie titles to play the moment you boot it up. Here are a few of our favorite Game Pass games to play on the Ally.
This is part of our ultimate guide to the ROG Ally series of articles. For more great games, check out our best-of roundups.
Forza Horizon 5
Image credit: Microsoft
Drive around Mexico in style in Forza Horizon 5, a massive open-world racing game that features tons of gorgeously rendered cars and scenic environments that push the boundaries of visual fidelity. You can experience all that Forza Horizon 5 has to offer on the ROG Ally, which manages a smooth 60 FPS at 1080p when you use our optimised settings in Turbo Mode. And there’s always Performance Mode for when you need a longer battery life. You can buy Forza Horizon 5 on the Xbox store or play it on Game Pass.
Gears 5
Image credit: Microsoft
It’s not always easy to coordinate co-op with pals, especially those who are on the move a lot. But thanks to the Ally, playing a massive AAA experience like Gears 5 cooperatively is a cinch, even if you’re nowhere near your main gaming rig. Gears 5 is a gritty, mature-rated third-person shooter that features tons of intense action. As one of Xbox Game Studios’ biggest blockbusters, expect it to look gorgeous and run effortlessly on the Ally, whether you’re playing solo or with a friend. You can grab the game on the Xbox store or play it on Game Pass.
ReCore
Image credit: Microsoft
AAA 3D Metroidvanias are something of a rarity, doubly so when they’re original IPs giving gamers a brand-new universe to explore. That’s why ReCore is such a gem. It’s an exploration-incentivising, family-friendly adventure game where you customise robots to help you battle mechanical monsters across a desert full of secrets and surprises. For folks who love customising loadouts and maxing out their in-game potential, this title is a uniquely satisfying experience. Couple all those finely tuned design elements with the game’s incredibly fluid, satisfying movement system, and you have one of the best gaming experiences ever published by Microsoft. You can buy the game on the Xbox store or play it on Game Pass.
Dishonored and Dishonored 2
Image credit: Microsoft
Anyone craving a first-person stealth simulator with supremely satisfying magic mechanics and incredible art direction needs to check out Dishonored and Dishonored 2, oil-punk adventures with a suitably oil-painting-inspired visual aesthetic. With the Ally, you’ll be able to manoeuvre Arkane’s labyrinthian fantasy world at high framerates without sacrificing visual luster. You can grab both games on the Xbox store or play them on Game Pass — come for the stellar art, stay for the eerie vibe and novel stealth mechanics.
Hi-Fi Rush
Image credit: Microsoft
Hi-Fi Rush is a third-person beat-‘em-up like no other—it’s a game where you swing an electric guitar as a weapon and have to hit enemies to the beat of a given level’s boppin’ music. There aren’t a lot of games like Hi-Fi Rush on the market, so if you’re intrigued by its vibrant colour palette and wacky aesthetic, give the musical adventure a whirl — the Ally won’t miss a beat running this one. You can grab Hi-Fi Rush on the Xbox store or play it on Game Pass.
Halo Infinite
Image credit: Microsoft
Halo Infinite is Master Chief’s most sprawling adventure yet, featuring more open environments than Halo has ever had before coupled with cutting-edge graphics that take the venerable first-person shooter franchise to new visual heights. The Ally is up to the challenge and can play Infinite at high framerates that’ll keep you competitively viable, whether you’re playing the game’s campaign or diving headfirst into competitive multiplayer. You can pick up Halo Infinite on the Xbox store or play it on Game Pass.
Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Image credit: Microsoft
Those who want two unique Metroidvanias with Pixar-level storytelling and animation need to check out Ori and the Blind Forest as well as its sequel Ori and the Will of the Wisps. It’s worth playing them in chronological order to feel each game’s full narrative impact. Complete with tough platforming challenges, rewarding exploration, gorgeous visuals, and tear-jerker plots, these two games are must-plays for genre enthusiasts and fans of great storytelling. You can grab Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps on the Xbox store or play them both on Game Pass.
Killer Instinct
Image credit: Microsoft
The classic arcade game’s big Xbox Game Studios comeback is a must-play for any Ally owners wanting a top-tier AAA fighting game to take with them wherever they go. Matches only last a couple of minutes at most, so it’s easy to dive in, pick a fighter, pull off some ultra-flashy combos, then store your Ally until it’s time for another game break. Featuring a huge roster of fighters that includes guest characters from Halo and Gears of War, there’s a reason for any Xbox fan to give this game a shot. You can pick up Killer Instinct on the Xbox store or play it on Game Pass.
Doom Eternal
Image credit: Microsoft
Sometimes, you just want to blow things up, shoot demons to a pulp, and cause chaos. That’s the beauty of Doom Eternal, a gore-filled first-person shooter all about slaying enemies with righteous fury. Use our optimised settings to get the absolute best performance out of Doom Eternal on the Ally— in Turbo mode, you can get up to 90 FPS if you tweak your settings appropriately. You can buy the game on the Xbox store or play it on Game Pass.
Of course, there are plenty more top-tier games on Game Pass than we can fit into a single article, so don’t think playtime is over just yet. One of the greatest fantasy RPGs ever made, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, is perfect for the Ally, as is Monster Hunter Rise, which needs no introduction in 2024. Both games are available on Game Pass. Be sure to check out our other favorite ROG Ally games and share your personal favourites with us over on our Discord.
