A Guide To All The Game Pass Games With Ray Tracing
Ray tracing (rt) is a computerized lighting technique that has been around for decades in the movie animation industry. Generating "rays" in real time is complex and resource intensive, so not until recently have we seen this fantastic technology applied to games. I have Game Pass, and I enjoy paying for the service. I like to get the best out of my games, and playing something with more realism is always worth a shot. I compiled a list of all the games on Xbox Game Pass that support ray tracing somehow. I left out the games that needed to be hacked or modded to achieve ray tracing, such as Doom (1993), Quake, and Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020). These games are for the PC, but I will point out if an Xbox Series X|S version supports ray tracing (I'll even include PlayStation 5 support for fun).
I wasn't able to test all of these games myself. The games I did test were with an Nvidia RTX 3060.
The list of ray tracing games continues to grow. Some offer minimal differences, while others completely change how the gameplay looks and feels. Real-time ray tracing with RTX graphics can significantly improve image quality. The frame rate (FPS) may suffer badly depending on the GPU. There's a trade-off between performance and getting the best graphics. That's why hardware options like DLSS 3.0 are a great way to keep the frames high and the pictures sharp. GeForce RTX and AMD Radeon have integrated real-time ray tracing technology skillfully. With Xbox Game Pass, subscribers can enjoy many games with incredible new technology.
What is ray tracing?
Ray tracing is used in computer graphics to create more realistic and accurate images. It simulates the behavior of light in the real world by tracing the path of light rays as they interact with virtual objects in a scene.
In traditional computer graphics, objects are typically drawn as flat polygonal shapes, with shading and lighting effects added to give the illusion of depth and volume. In contrast, ray tracing takes a more physically based approach by tracing the actual path of light as it bounces off objects and travels through the virtual scene. This results in more lifelike images with accurate shadows, reflections, and refractions.
Ray tracing is computationally intensive and requires much processing power to perform in real-time. However, it is often used in film and animation production, where the quality of the final image is more important than the rendering speed.
VIDEO: RTX in your favorite games
Does Xbox Game Pass have ray tracing?
Yes, Xbox Game Pass does offer games that use ray tracing. You must have an Xbox Series X|S console or a compatible PC graphics card to enable ray tracing on a game. Once these requirements are met, you can enable ray tracing from within the game's settings menu.
Game Pass Games With Ray Tracing
A Plague Tale: Requiem
A Plague Tale: Requiem is a game set in the 14th century. It follows the story of two siblings, Amicia and Hugo, as they try to escape from the clutches of the Inquisition—the game features ray tracing mainly for shadows, which isn't very noticeable. The game looks gorgeous regardless, so I'm willing to look past its weak ray-tracing implementation.
Ray Tracing Support (RTX Only)
Shadows (RTX)
Available On
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Anvil: Vault Breaker
Anvil: Vault Breaker is a game set in the 25th century. It follows the story of a group of criminals who break into an impenetrable space station to steal its valuable contents—the game features ray tracing for reflections. Overall the game is average, and any graphic improvements don't make it stand out. It's not one of the better Game Pass games with ray tracing.
Ray Tracing Support
Reflections
Available On
PC, Xbox Series X/S
Atomic Heart
Atomic Heart is a game set in an alternative USSR. It follows the story of an army Major who is sent to investigate a robot uprising at a remote facility—the game features ray tracing for shadows and reflections. Atomic Heart looks excellent, and the ray-tracing effects are used well to enhance the graphics without being overdone. It's one of the newest and best Game Pass games with ray tracing.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows, Reflections (RTX)
Available On
PC
Battlefield 2042
Battlefield 2042 is a game set in the future of the Battlefield franchise. It features ray tracing for ambient occlusion and reflections. It also supports the latest RTX features like Nvidia DLSS 3.0 and Nvidia Reflex. Ray tracing looks fantastic, but the RTX 3060 struggles at times with settings maxed out.
Ray Tracing Support
Ambient Occlusion, Reflections
Available On
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Battlefield V
Battlefield V is a game set in World War II. It features ray tracing for reflections and shadows. The game also supports the latest RTX features like Nvidia DLSS 3.0 and Nvidia Reflex. I have not tried Battlefield V on my RTX 3060, but I think it would run better than Battlefield 2042 with similar settings.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows, Reflections
Available On
PC
Chorus
Chorus is a game set in the 31st century. It follows the story of two pilots thrown into the middle of an intergalactic war. The game features ray tracing for reflections. It also supports DLAA and DLSS 2.0. Ray tracing looks great in Chorus and provides realistic reflections, but the game can be taxing on lower-end graphics cards.
Ray Tracing Support
Reflections
Available On
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Deathloop
Deathloop is a game set in an alternate reality. It follows the story of two assassins stuck in a time loop. The game features ray tracing for shadows and reflections. It also supports DLSS 2.0. Ray tracing looks great in Deathloop and provides realistic shadows and reflections. It's one of the more interesting Game Pass games with ray tracing.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows, Reflections
Available On
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Dirt 5
Dirt 5 is a game set in the world of off-road racing. It features ray tracing for ambient occlusion, shadows, and reflections. I haven't played DiRT 5 since the ray tracing update, so I'm not sure how much better it makes the game look.
Ray Tracing Support
Ambient Occlusion, Shadows, Reflections
Available On
PC
Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal is a game set in the Doom universe. It features ray tracing for shadows and reflections. Doom Eternal with ray tracing shines in dark areas such as hallways and spaceship compartments. The game also supports Nvidia DLSS 2.0.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows, Reflections
Available On
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is a racing game with a vast selection of cars. It features ray tracing for shadows and reflections. The game also supports Nvidia DLSS 2.0 and DLAA. Although the world isn't fully ray-traced, the cars look fantastic. The world being ray-traced doesn't make much sense when traveling at 200mph! If you like admiring cars, the photo mode alone makes this one of the best Game Pass games with ray tracing.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows, Reflections
Available On
PC, Xbox Series X/S
Gears 5
Gears 5 is a game set in the Gears of War universe. It features ray tracing for shadows and screen space illumination. The game also supports Microsoft's DirectX Ray-tracing API. The ray tracing is not hardware-based, so it's not entirely satisfying when running on an Nvidia RTX or AMD RX series graphics card.
Ray Tracing Support
Software-based shadow and screen space global illumination
Available On
PC, Xbox Series X/S
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Jurassic World Evolution 2 is a game that lets you build your own Jurassic Park. It features ray tracing for shadows, reflections, and skylights. The game also supports Nvidia DLSS 3.0, DLSS 2.0, and DLAA. There's not a lot of difference in many of the game world elements and dinosaurs, but DLSS sure does a great job boosting the frame rate.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows, Reflections, Sky Lights
Available On
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Life Is Strange: True Colors
Life Is Strange: True Colors is a game set in the Life Is Strange universe. It features ray tracing for shadows and reflections. Shadows seem a bit deeper, but there's not much of a difference with elements like character lighting and water reflections.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows, Reflections
Available On
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a game set in the Marvel universe. It features ray tracing for reflections and transparent reflections. It also supports DLSS 2.0. The reflections and shadows stand out on glass elements. The spaceship's interior reflecting on the glass while flying through space looks great! I recommend this as one of the better Game Pass games with ray tracing.
Ray Tracing Support
Reflections, Transparent Reflections
Available On
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries is a game set in the BattleTech universe. It features ray tracing for shadows, reflections, and light shafts. The main benefit of ray tracing for MechWarrior 5 is the shadows. They look great, and the game's impressive graphics are taken to the next level.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows, Reflections, Light Shafts
Available On
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Minecraft
Minecraft is a game that features ray tracing for shadows, reflections, and global illumination. It also supports Nvidia DLSS 2.0. Minecraft with RTX enabled looks impressive, especially the water. The downside is you must find an RTX-enabled world on the marketplace to enable ray tracing. This is one of my favorite casual Game Pass games with ray tracing.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows, Reflections, Global Illumination when on an RTX-Supported World
Available On
PC
Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition
Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition is a game that features ray tracing for shadows. It also supports DLSS 2.0. The ray tracing effects seem minimal in this game. While some lighting elements (fire, flares) look improved, reflections and shadows are relatively the same.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows
Available On
PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna (maybe)
Paradise Killer
Paradise Killer is a game set on a tropical island. It features ray tracing for reflections. It also supports DLSS 2.0. The ray tracing in Paradise Killer is good, but the game's graphics are not as impressive as other ray tracing games.
Ray Tracing Support
Reflections (DirectX 12)
Available On
PC
The Ascent
The Ascent is a game set in a cyberpunk world. It features ray tracing for shadows, reflections, and ambient occlusion. The ray tracing in The Ascent is impressive, especially the shadows. It also supports DLSS 2.0.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows, Reflections (DirectX 12), Ambient Occlusion (DirectX 12)
Available On
PC
The Riftbreaker PC
The Riftbreaker is a game that features ray tracing for shadows and reflections. The Riftbreaker's visuals are good, but the game's aesthetics pale compared to other ray tracing video games.
Ray Tracing Support
Shadows, Reflections
Available On
PC
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is a game set in the Warhammer 40k universe. It features ray tracing for reflections and global illumination. It also supports Nvidia DLSS 3.0 and DLSS 2.0. With full ray tracing enabled, Warhammer Darktide looks pretty awesome and is one of the best games on this list -- but it BSOD me a few times. Guess the RTX 3060 wasn't fully prepared or capable.
Ray Tracing Support
Reflections, Global Illumination
Available On
PC