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Unlock Your Gamerscore Fast: The Ultimate Guide to Quick Achievements on Xbox Game Pass

Jennifer Streep
29 Min Read
The Ultimate Guide to Quick Achievements on Xbox Game Pass

The digital landscape of gaming is constantly shifting, but one constant remains: the satisfying chime and numerical increase that accompanies unlocking an achievement. For many Xbox players, collecting Gamerscore is as much a part of the gaming experience as the gameplay itself. It’s a badge of honor, a testament to time spent, challenges overcome, and secrets uncovered. And when it comes to value and opportunity, few platforms rival the allure of Xbox Game Pass.

Contents

This subscription service grants access to a massive, rotating library of games, including first-party exclusives on day one. For the dedicated achievement hunter, this means a treasure trove of potential Gamerscore, often without the hefty upfront cost of purchasing each title individually. But not all games are created equal when it comes to earning achievements. Some demand hundreds of hours, mastery of complex mechanics, or navigating incredibly difficult challenges.

This guide focuses specifically on the sweet spot: games on Xbox Game Pass that offer quick and relatively easy achievements. We’re talking about titles where you can significantly boost your Gamerscore in a short amount of time, making it ideal for those looking to efficiently increase their score, complete collections, or simply enjoy the satisfaction of 100% completion without an overwhelming commitment.

We’ll cover:

  • Why Xbox Game Pass is a prime destination for achievement hunters.
  • What constitutes a “quick” achievement target.
  • A curated list of excellent Game Pass titles known for accessible achievements.
  • Strategies to maximize your efficiency.
  • How to stay updated in the dynamic Game Pass library.

Get ready to elevate your Gamerscore game. Let’s dive into the best games for quick achievements on Xbox Game Pass!

Why Xbox Game Pass is a Achievement Hunter’s Paradise

Before we pinpoint the specific titles, let’s establish why Xbox Game Pass is such a compelling platform for anyone interested in Xbox achievements.

  1. Vast and Diverse Library: Game Pass offers hundreds of games, spanning genres, generations, and developers. This sheer volume increases the probability of finding titles with achievable Gamerscore targets. From blockbuster AAA releases to hidden indie gems, the variety is staggering.
  2. Rotating Catalogue: While games do leave the service, new ones are added constantly. This dynamic nature means there’s always something fresh to explore. Crucially, it also means games known for quick achievements might enter the library, offering golden opportunities. You can often find games that were previously popular for achievement hunting making their way onto the service.
  3. Day One Access: Microsoft’s first-party titles, and an increasing number of third-party games, launch directly onto Game Pass. This gives subscribers instant access to potential Gamerscore opportunities from day one, often without needing to purchase the game. Think of titles like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, or Starfield (when applicable) – their launch on Game Pass provides immediate achievement hunting potential.
  4. Value Proposition: Access to such a large library for a monthly fee is incredible value. Instead of buying 5-10 games individually to chase achievements, you get access to potentially dozens, significantly lowering the cost per potential achievement point.
  5. Cross-Platform Play and Cloud Gaming: Many Game Pass titles are available across Xbox consoles, PC, and cloud streaming. This flexibility allows you to hunt achievements on your preferred device. Cloud gaming, in particular, can be useful for quickly accessing a game just to knock out a few simple achievements without a full download or console commitment.
  6. Backward Compatibility: Game Pass includes many backward compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles. Some of these older gems are notorious for having very easy achievement lists, making them prime targets if they cycle through the service.

Essentially, Game Pass lowers the barrier to entry for trying diverse games and hunting achievements across a wide spectrum of experiences.

Defining “Quick Achievements”

What exactly qualifies a game as having “quick achievements”? It’s subjective, but generally, we’re looking for games that meet several criteria:

  • Low Time Commitment: The primary factor. Games where you can achieve 100% completion (or a significant chunk of Gamerscore, like 1000 points) in a relatively short period. This often means under 10-15 hours, sometimes even under 5 hours for specific lists.
  • Ease of Acquisition: Achievements should not require extreme skill, complex strategies, or extensive grinding. They are often tied to:
    • Story Progression: Simply playing through the main narrative unlocks the majority of points.
    • Collectible Mop-up: A reasonable number of collectibles that are easily tracked or guided.
    • Simple Side Tasks: Straightforward optional objectives.
    • Low Difficulty Settings: Playable on the easiest setting, removing skill barriers.
  • Minimal Missable Achievements: While some missables are acceptable if easily managed, games with numerous or obscure missable achievements add complexity and time, disqualifying them from the “quick” category.
  • Clear Guidance Available: It helps immensely if achievement guides are readily available online (e.g., on sites like TrueAchievements or via YouTube walkthroughs) that clearly map out the fastest routes.
  • Full List Accessibility: Ideally, the entire achievement list (typically 1000 Gamerscore for Xbox One/Series games, though older BC games might differ) is relatively straightforward to complete.

Games that require multiple full playthroughs on different difficulties, extensive online multiplayer grinding, high-level combat proficiency, or exhaustive exploration are generally not considered “quick achievement” games, even if they are on Game Pass.

Top Xbox Game Pass Titles for Rapid Gamerscore Gains (Constantly Updated!)

This list is dynamic. Games enter and leave Game Pass regularly. The inclusion date and potential removal date (if known) are noted where possible, but always double-check the service status. We’re focusing on games available as of late 2023 / early 2024.

Narrative Adventures & Walking Simulators

These games often excel because achievements are almost exclusively tied to story progression and choices.

Life is Strange (Entire Series often available)

  • Genre: Narrative Adventure, Graphic Adventure
  • Why Quick Achievements: The Life is Strange series (including Life is Strange, Life is Strange: Before the Storm, Life is Strange 2, and Life is Strange: True Colors) generally has achievement lists heavily weighted towards completing episodes and making specific choices. Playing through the story on any difficulty will net you a huge chunk of the points.
  • Time Estimate: 5-10 hours per main game entry for story completion achievements.
  • Tips: Focus on experiencing the story. Achievements often pop after key plot points or completing chapters. Guides can help ensure you see specific choice related achievements if they are separate.
  • Sources:

Firewatch

  • Genre: Adventure, Walking Simulator
  • Why Quick Achievements: This critically acclaimed title offers an achievement list almost entirely based on reaching specific locations during your playthrough. It’s a linear experience, making it straightforward to track progress.
  • Time Estimate: Around 4-6 hours for 100% completion.
  • Tips: Follow the main path. Most achievements are tied to reaching viewpoints or areas marked on your map. Guides are excellent for pinpointing exact locations if needed.
  • Source:

The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series

  • Genre: Episodic Adventure, Interactive Drama
  • Why Quick Achievements: Similar to Life is Strange, Telltale’s masterpiece achievement lists are primarily based on completing each episode and key story moments. There are multiple seasons included, offering a substantial amount of Gamerscore.
  • Time Estimate: Roughly 5-8 hours per season for story progression achievements. The Definitive Series includes many games.
  • Tips: Play through the episodes. The achievements are very forgiving and pop naturally as you progress through the compelling narrative.
  • Source:

Eastshade

  • Genre: Adventure, Exploration, Walking Simulator
  • Why Quick Achievements: Explore a beautiful, serene island as a traveling painter. Achievements primarily involve visiting locations, completing local quests (often simple fetch or delivery tasks), and using your painting ability.
  • Time Estimate: 6-10 hours for a good portion of the achievements, potentially slightly longer for 100%.
  • Tips: Engage with the locals and take on their requests. Explore the map thoroughly, as many achievements are location-based.
  • Source:

Action & Platformer Titles with Straightforward Lists

Some action games offer surprisingly accessible achievement paths.

TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge

  • Genre: Beat ’em up, Platformer
  • Why Quick Achievements: While challenging on higher difficulties, the base achievement list for TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is very manageable. Many achievements are tied to completing stages, using specific moves, or reaching certain milestones. Playing on Normal difficulty and focusing on progression yields significant points quickly. Local co-op can make it even easier.
  • Time Estimate: 4-8 hours for most achievements on easier difficulties.
  • Tips: Play through the story mode. Don’t shy away from co-op. Check the achievement list for simple objectives like landing a certain number of kicks or completing a level with a specific character.
  • Source:

My Friend Pedro

  • Genre: 2D Action Shooter, Platformer
  • Why Quick Achievements: This stylish shooter focuses on fast-paced action and scoring. Achievements are generally tied to completing levels, achieving certain scores, performing specific actions (like wall jumps or flips), and finding secrets. The game encourages stylish play, which often aligns with achievement goals.
  • Time Estimate: 4-7 hours for 100% completion.
  • Tips: Replay levels to improve scores and achieve specific action-based Trophies. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the slow-motion mechanics. Many guides focus on specific challenges.
  • Source:

Hot Wheels Unleashed

  • Genre: Arcade Racing
  • Why Quick Achievements: Racing games added to Game Pass can sometimes offer straightforward achievement lists focused on winning races, performing stunts, unlocking cars, and completing career milestones. Hot Wheels Unleashed typically has a list that rewards consistent play and participation rather than pure racing skill.
  • Time Estimate: 15-25 hours (can be longer, but a significant chunk is achievable relatively quickly).
  • Tips: Focus on completing career mode events. Look for achievements related to drift distance, boost usage, and collecting specific car types. Online achievements might require a boosting session.
  • Source:

Descenders

  • Genre: Extreme Sports, Roguelike Cycler
  • Why Quick Achievements: While the core gameplay is challenging, Descenders has many achievements tied to simply completing trails, joining specific online crews, and reaching certain level milestones. The progression system unlocks new gear and areas, often triggering achievements along the way.
  • Time Estimate: 10-20 hours for a significant portion of the list, though mastering the game takes much longer.
  • Tips: Focus on completing runs and unlocking new areas. Join an active online crew. Many achievements are milestone based (e.g., completing X number of trails).
  • Source:

Simulation and Casual Games

These often have lists designed for broad appeal, including simple tasks.

Untitled Goose Game

  • Genre: Puzzle, Stealth, Sandbox
  • Why Quick Achievements: Cause adorable chaos as a horrible goose! The achievements are mostly tied to completing the main to-do lists in each area and then completing a “to-do” list in hard mode (which is essentially a second playthrough with extra tasks).
  • Time Estimate: 4-6 hours for the main game, another 3-5 hours for the hard mode/checklist achievements.
  • Tips: Work through the main checklist in each area. Hard mode achievements often involve slightly different or trickier versions of tasks. Keep an eye out for guides.
  • Source:

Grow: Song of the Evertree

  • Genre: World-Life Sandbox, Adventure, Town-Building
  • Why Quick Achievements: This charming game involves growing worlds, managing a town, and exploring. Many achievements are tied to progression milestones in each of these modes, such as growing a certain number of worlds, completing alchemy recipes, or upgrading town buildings.
  • Time Estimate: 10-15 hours for a significant chunk of the achievements.
  • Tips: Focus on progressing the main activities – world-alchemy, town-building, and exploration quests. Achievements are often awarded for reaching specific numerical goals or completing tutorial-like sequences.
  • Source:

Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame Series (Specific entries)

  • Genre: Racing Simulation
  • Why Quick Achievements: Many entries in this series (check which ones are currently on Game Pass) feature achievement lists that heavily reward career progression, winning races, and completing track objectives. While some achievements might require a bit of grinding or specific tuning, a large portion can be obtained by simply playing through the career mode.
  • Time Estimate: Varies by entry, but often 15-30 hours for a substantial amount of Gamerscore.
  • Tips: Focus on the career mode. Utilize assists if needed to speed up races. Look for achievements related to wins, podium finishes, and completing specific challenges within events. Online achievements might need coordination.
  • Source:

Indie Darlings with Simple Lists

Independent developers sometimes create games with very focused, achievable lists.

Grounded (Requires some effort, but manageable chunks)

  • Genre: Survival, Adventure
  • Why Quick Achievements: While Grounded is a full survival experience, its achievement list has many milestones related to crafting, building, exploring, and defeating specific creatures or bosses. You can chip away at these gradually. Some specific achievements are easier than others, allowing for targeted boosting.
  • Time Estimate: Variable. Can get 300-500 GS in 10-15 hours, but 100% takes longer. Good for partial quick gains.
  • Tips: Focus on completing the main story quests, which often unlock related achievements. Crafting and building milestones are plentiful. Explore different biomes and defeat the creatures residing there.
  • Source:

Kholat:эйвон

  • Genre: Horror, Walking Simulator, Exploration
  • Why Quick Achievements: Based on the Dyatlov Pass incident, Kholat involves exploring a snowy, atmospheric environment. Achievements are primarily tied to finding specific landmarks, story objectives, and collecting documents scattered throughout the map.
  • Time Estimate: 5-8 hours for 100% completion.
  • Tips: This game heavily benefits from a guide. Following a walkthrough will ensure you find all objectives and landmarks efficiently, as the map can be disorienting.
  • Source:

The Gunk

  • Genre: Action-Adventure, Platformer
  • Why Quick Achievements: Play as Rani, exploring a strange alien planet and using a special gun to clear out a corrosive “gunk.” Achievements are tied to story progression, clearing areas, finding resources, and completing specific actions or upgrades.
  • Time Estimate: 6-9 hours for 100% completion.
  • Tips: Follow the main questline. Clearing areas of gunk usually progresses story objectives and unlocks related achievements. Keep an eye out for collectibles and upgrade materials.
  • Source:

Chorus

  • Genre: Space Combat, Shooter
  • Why Quick Achievements: Chorus offers fast-paced space combat with a compelling story. A significant portion of its achievements are tied to completing story missions, exploring locations, upgrading your ship, and performing specific combat maneuvers. While some can be challenging, many are straightforward progression unlocks.
  • Time Estimate: Around 10-15 hours for a good chunk of the Gamerscore, potentially 20+ for 100%.
  • Tips: Progress through the main campaign. Utilize the different weapons and abilities your ship offers. Guides can help optimize combat for specific achievements or find hidden locations.
  • Source:

Retro & Backward Compatible Gems

Keep an eye out for these types of games if they appear on Game Pass.

Skate 3 (Often cycles through BC)

  • Genre: Sports, Skateboarding Simulation
  • Why Quick Achievements: While originally released years ago, Skate 3 has a reputation for having many easily obtainable achievements, especially if you can coordinate with others online. Many points come from completing Hall of Meat challenges, progressing through the career, and simple co-op tasks.
  • Time Estimate: 10-20 hours for a large chunk of the points, potentially more depending on online coordination.
  • Tips: Focus on career progression and Hall of Meat. Online co-op achievements are significantly easier if you can find others. Search for specific guides regarding boosting sessions.
  • Source:

Various “Easy List” Indie Titles

  • Genre: Varies (often puzzle, visual novel, simple simulators)
  • Why Quick Achievements: Many smaller indie titles added to Game Pass are designed with accessible achievement lists. Think games like The Jackbox Party Packs (achievements often tied to playing specific mini-games), visual novels where achievements unlock with choices, or simple puzzle games with straightforward level completion goals.
  • Time Estimate: Highly variable, often 1-5 hours per game for most achievements.
  • Tips: Search communities like TrueAchievements for “easy 1000” or “quick completion” tagged games that are currently on Game Pass. Often these are perfect for a weekend score boost.
  • Sources: These change constantly, but check:

Strategic Approaches to Efficient Achievement Hunting

Beyond picking the right games, employing smart strategies is key to maximizing your Gamerscore gains on Game Pass.

Leverage Online Achievement Guides

  • TrueAchievements (TA): This is the go-to resource. TA provides comprehensive walkthroughs, difficulty ratings, time-to-completion estimates, and community forums for virtually every Xbox game. Use their guides to identify the fastest routes, pinpoint missable achievements, and find boosting partners. The TA Score (TA:S) ratio also gives insight into how difficult achievements are relative to how many people have earned them.
  • YouTube Walkthroughs: Many achievement hunters create video guides detailing the quickest paths, collectible locations, and strategies for difficult achievements. Search YouTube for “[Game Title] Achievement Guide” or “[Game Title] 100% Walkthrough”.

Check the List Before You Play

  • Before downloading or starting a new Game Pass title, take a few minutes to browse its achievement list. Does it align with your goals? Are there many seemingly tedious or difficult achievements? A quick glance can save you hours of potentially frustrating gameplay if the list isn’t suitable for quick gains.

Understand Missable Achievements

  • Pay close attention to achievements marked as “missable” in guides. These often require specific actions at certain points in the game or can be permanently locked off after progressing too far. Plan accordingly, possibly saving before key decisions or utilizing chapter select features if available.

Utilize Difficulty Settings

  • Don’t be afraid to play on the easiest difficulty setting if your primary goal is unlocking achievements quickly. Many games allow this without penalty for achievement acquisition. This removes skill barriers and speeds up progression significantly.

Combine Achievements

  • Sometimes, multiple achievements can be unlocked simultaneously or in quick succession. Efficient guides often highlight these opportunities. For example, completing a story mission might also fulfill a requirement for defeating X enemies with a specific weapon or finding a hidden item along the path.

Consider Boosting Sessions

  • For games with multiplayer achievements, coordinating with other players (often found via TrueAchievements forums) can drastically speed up completion. Some achievements are practically impossible to get otherwise or would take an excessive amount of time through random matchmaking.

Leverage Cloud Gaming and Quick Resume

  • Cloud Gaming: For games you only want to play for a few quick achievements and then abandon, streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming means no download time. You can jump in, grab the points, and jump out.
  • Quick Resume: This Xbox Series X|S feature allows you to suspend multiple games and switch between them instantly. This is incredibly useful if you’re juggling several “quick achievement” games, allowing you to hop between them without long load times.

The Ever-Changing Landscape: Staying Updated on Game Pass

Game Pass is not static. Titles are added and removed monthly, making it crucial to stay informed if you want to capitalize on the best opportunities.

Follow Official Xbox News & Announcements

  • Xbox Wire: The official blog for Xbox news often announces new Game Pass additions and removals.
  • In-Console Notifications: Your Xbox dashboard will typically provide notifications about new Game Pass titles.

Monitor Gaming News Sites & Communities

  • Major gaming outlets (IGN, GameSpot, Polygon, Eurogamer, etc.) and dedicated communities (like Reddit’s r/xboxgamepass, r/xbox, and TrueAchievements) are excellent sources for tracking Game Pass updates.

Keep an Eye on “Leaving Soon” Sections

  • The Game Pass interface usually has a section highlighting games that will be leaving the service in the near future. If a game known for quick achievements is on its way out, prioritize playing it to secure those points before it’s gone.

Regularly Browse the Game Pass Library

  • Make it a habit to scroll through the available games on Game Pass. You might discover hidden gems or titles you weren’t aware of that offer easy Gamerscore opportunities. Filter by genre or use search terms to find relevant titles.

Beyond the Quick Wins: The Broader Achievement Picture

While this guide focuses on speed and efficiency, remember that Xbox Game Pass hosts games of all types. Many incredible titles offer deep, rewarding achievement lists that require significant investment but offer immense satisfaction. Don’t shy away from these entirely! Sometimes, enjoying a game fully and earning achievements organically is the most rewarding path.

Consider games like:

  • RPGs: Starfield, The Outer Worlds, Mass Effect Legendary Edition (when available) – offer vast worlds and hundreds of achievements tied to exploration, quests, and character progression.
  • Action-Adventures: Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Gears 5, Forza Horizon 5 – provide challenging campaigns, horde modes, and competitive multiplayer achievements.
  • Strategy Games: Age of Empires series, Stellaris – complex games with achievements often tied to specific historical scenarios or complex strategic goals.

These games might not offer “quick” points, but they provide long-term engagement and significant Gamerscore potential for dedicated players.

Conclusion: Your Gamerscore Journey on Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass is an undeniably powerful platform for achievement hunters. With a constantly evolving library and incredible value, the opportunities to boost your Gamerscore are abundant. By focusing on titles known for their accessible achievement lists – often found in narrative adventures, indie titles, and certain action or simulation games – and employing smart strategies like using online guides and checking lists beforehand, you can efficiently increase your score.

Remember the key games highlighted, but also stay vigilant. The Game Pass library changes constantly, so keep exploring, follow the news, and utilize resources like TrueAchievements to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you’re aiming for a quick 1000 points this weekend or chipping away at a larger backlog, the world of Xbox Game Pass offers a playground perfectly suited for the dedicated player.

Now, go forth and conquer those achievement lists! What are your favorite quick achievement games on Xbox Game Pass? Share your discoveries in the comments below!

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