Why Some Gamers Still Overlook the Microsoft Store—And Should They?
Being a gamer and not paying attention to what the Microsoft Store has to offer? That’s a bummer and we’ll tell you why you shouldn’t overlook the Microsoft Store.
Alright, let’s talk about the free games. And no, I don’t mean the kind of "free" games that bombard you with microtransactions until you feel like you accidentally adopted a Tamagotchi that won’t stop asking for money. The Microsoft Store has actual, no-strings-attached free games—classics, hidden gems, and even some surprisingly solid indie titles.
For example, did you know that Microsoft periodically dishes out free games that you’d actually want to play? Not just ancient, forgotten relics, but real, enjoyable experiences. And if you’re a fan of casual games (don’t lie, we all have a guilty pleasure game), there’s a whole collection of nostalgic Microsoft games like Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Mahjong, which are somehow still as addictive as they were back in the ‘90s when they were the only entertainment available on office computers. But the best part? The Microsoft Store is home to a massive ecosystem of Xbox Game Pass, the gaming buffet that might just be one of the best deals in gaming history.
Let’s be honest, Game Pass is the reason the Microsoft Store is even part of this conversation. If you haven’t heard about Game Pass, congratulations on escaping the underground bunker you’ve been living in for the past five years. Imagine Netflix, but for games—except it’s arguably better, because instead of a library filled with questionable sequels and straight-to-streaming disasters, you get access to actual good games.
For a monthly subscription, you can download and play hundreds of high-quality games, including AAA titles that would normally cost you a small fortune. We’re talking Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Starfield, Doom Eternal, and a rotating selection of indie darlings that you probably wouldn’t have tried otherwise but will now pretend you always knew about. Even brand-new, day-one releases from Xbox Game Studios land directly on Game Pass, meaning you don’t have to shell out $70 for a new game just to find out it’s mid.
If you’re a PC gamer who has stubbornly ignored the Microsoft Store out of principle, here’s the kicker: Game Pass for PC exists, and it’s absurdly good. While Steam loyalists might resist the idea of launching games from anywhere other than their precious library, the reality is that Microsoft is offering a deal so good that ignoring it starts to feel like financial irresponsibility.
Look, we’re not here to tell you that the Microsoft Store is perfect. It still has quirks, and sometimes it feels like it’s just there, lurking in the background of your Windows experience like an uninvited guest. But for all its past sins, the store has transformed into something that’s actually worth your time—especially if you like the idea of playing great games without emptying your wallet.
Let’s be real for a second—when was the last time you, an actual, functioning gamer, opened the Microsoft Store on your PC on purpose? Not because Windows practically begged you to update an app, not because it accidentally launched when you searched for something else, but because you genuinely thought, “Hey, let me check out what’s cooking in the Microsoft Store.” Yeah, that’s what we thought.
The thing is, this hidden gem has been in the shadows of some other giants like Steam and other gaming platforms. But here’s the thing: while many still scoff at the idea of using it, the Microsoft Store has been quietly stockpiling a pretty compelling reason for gamers to stop ignoring it—free games.
Freebies that aren’t just filler
Alright, let’s talk about the free games. And no, I don’t mean the kind of "free" games that bombard you with microtransactions until you feel like you accidentally adopted a Tamagotchi that won’t stop asking for money. The Microsoft Store has actual, no-strings-attached free games—classics, hidden gems, and even some surprisingly solid indie titles.
For example, did you know that Microsoft periodically dishes out free games that you’d actually want to play? Not just ancient, forgotten relics, but real, enjoyable experiences. And if you’re a fan of casual games (don’t lie, we all have a guilty pleasure game), there’s a whole collection of nostalgic Microsoft games like Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Mahjong, which are somehow still as addictive as they were back in the ‘90s when they were the only entertainment available on office computers. But the best part? The Microsoft Store is home to a massive ecosystem of Xbox Game Pass, the gaming buffet that might just be one of the best deals in gaming history.
Game Pass: The crown jewel of this platform
Let’s be honest, Game Pass is the reason the Microsoft Store is even part of this conversation. If you haven’t heard about Game Pass, congratulations on escaping the underground bunker you’ve been living in for the past five years. Imagine Netflix, but for games—except it’s arguably better, because instead of a library filled with questionable sequels and straight-to-streaming disasters, you get access to actual good games.
For a monthly subscription, you can download and play hundreds of high-quality games, including AAA titles that would normally cost you a small fortune. We’re talking Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Starfield, Doom Eternal, and a rotating selection of indie darlings that you probably wouldn’t have tried otherwise but will now pretend you always knew about. Even brand-new, day-one releases from Xbox Game Studios land directly on Game Pass, meaning you don’t have to shell out $70 for a new game just to find out it’s mid.
If you’re a PC gamer who has stubbornly ignored the Microsoft Store out of principle, here’s the kicker: Game Pass for PC exists, and it’s absurdly good. While Steam loyalists might resist the idea of launching games from anywhere other than their precious library, the reality is that Microsoft is offering a deal so good that ignoring it starts to feel like financial irresponsibility.
Is it worth your time
Look, we’re not here to tell you that the Microsoft Store is perfect. It still has quirks, and sometimes it feels like it’s just there, lurking in the background of your Windows experience like an uninvited guest. But for all its past sins, the store has transformed into something that’s actually worth your time—especially if you like the idea of playing great games without emptying your wallet.
