We’ve said it countless times before, but the comparison still holds up nicely, especially after the recent price adjustments: PC Game Pass is essentially Netflix for video games.

Microsoft’s subscription service remains one of the smartest deals in tech right now, boasting a sprawling catalog of hundreds of titles ready to be installed on your hard drive. In the United States, the service currently runs for $11.99 (around ₱723) a month. But if you’re reading this in the Philippines, the regional pricing is a steal. PC Game Pass gives you access to a generous library of high-quality titles for just ₱225 ($4) a month — or just ₱59 ($1) for your first 14 days if you’re a new subscriber.

With Father’s Day just around the corner, there’s no better excuse to fire up your desktop, laptop, or even a gaming handheld like the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally. Whether you’re looking for an emotional narrative, pure nostalgia, or just a way to decompress after a long workweek, here are the best titles on the service right now that capture the dad experience.

1. NBA 2K26

Basketball is practically a religion in the Philippines, making this an automatic download. And if you’re playing as the Los Angeles Lakers, this year’s iteration lets you take control of the real-life father-son duo, LeBron and Bronny James.

If you can no longer beat Father Time — or your son or daughter — on the actual basketball court, NBA 2K26 could provide the virtual hardwood you need. It’s a great way to settle the debate over who truly runs the court in your household. Putting the online mode’s gacha mechanics aside, it remains a fantastic local multiplayer game for a relaxed, offline afternoon with the family.

2. Forza Horizon 6

The latest Forza Horizon festival takes racing to the neon-drenched streets and winding mountain passes of Japan. It’s obviously a must play for dads who love cars, but even non-gearheads will probably find something deeply therapeutic here. We can’t quite pinpoint it, but there’s a specific kind of magic in cruising down coastal highways without worrying about bumper-to-bumper traffic or flooded roads — a spectacular escape from the everyday Filipino driver’s experience.

3. Diablo IV

This one is pure, unadulterated nostalgia for millennial dads. If you spent your university days glued to monitors in internet cafes, or lugging heavy desktop towers to LAN parties for the original Diablo or Diablo II, this is your homecoming.

Diablo IV brings back that dark, monster-slaying magic, optimized to play with your old college buddies after the kids finally go to sleep. Trust us, we’ve poured hundreds of hours into this title, and it nails that addictive gameplay loop of killing monsters, finding gear, killing more powerful monsters, and then finding more powerful gear. For any father looking for an action RPG that scratches that specific itch, this game is highly recommended.

4. Batman: Arkham Knight

It’s probably every dad’s fantasy to become a billionaire with unlimited resources. Add in the ability to be one of the greatest detectives on the planet and a vigilante crime fighter who saves the day, and you have the ultimate power trip. Delivering unlimited knuckle sandwiches to unsuspecting thugs and cruising around a rain-slicked Gotham in the Batmobile might be the kind of stress relief you need after a long afternoon of reviewing elementary math problems (not that we’re complaining).

5. Bluey: The Videogame

Enough said. If your little one is a fan of the world’s most beloved modern cartoon dog, this is a required download. It’s a forgiving co-op adventure that lets you share your gaming hobby with the whole family, completely stress-free. That means zero meltdowns because a character died, and no crying over the game being “too hard.”

6. PowerWash Simulator 2

Speaking of a stress-free experience, there’s a very specific dad urge to grab a hose and blast grime off the driveway on a Sunday morning. This sequel captures that exact zen-like satisfaction, letting you clean everything from dirty vans to mansions. It’s the ultimate way to decompress and experience the joy of a job well done, entirely from the comfort of your couch.

Just a fair warning, though: PowerWash Simulator games can be so addictive that you might actually find yourself neglecting your household chores, like picking up a real hose to wash down your real house.

7. Dishonored 2

Sometimes, parenting feels like fighting the entire world to keep your kid safe. This sequel puts you in the highly capable shoes of Corvo Attano, a legendary supernatural assassin carving his way across a corrupt empire. It’s a stylish, stealthy thrill ride dedicated to protecting and rescuing his daughter, Emily — at all costs.

8. Psychonauts 2

This platformer tackles heavy themes with incredible grace and humor. You join psychic acrobat Razputin “Raz” Aquato as he literally dives into people’s minds to fix their broken psyche. It hits close to home, focusing on healing multigenerational family trauma and repairing Raz’s complicated relationship with his own father, Augustus.

9. As Dusk Falls

If you prefer your entertainment to play out like an afternoon Philippine telenovela, this interactive, choice-driven drama is a must play. You navigate the interwoven lives of two families over the course of three decades. It forces you to make high-stakes decisions that explore the extreme, often heartbreaking sacrifices fathers make to protect their children.

10. It Takes Two

Parenting is a partnership, and no title captures the beautiful chaos of working together quite like this one. You and a co-op partner are magically shrunk down to toy size, forced to navigate a sprawling house by solving clever puzzles that require constant communication. Playing It Takes Two is a fun way to bond — one that subtly reminds you why teamwork makes the family dynamic function.

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