Developer Dead Mage's gorgeous story-driven action-RPG Children of Morta just got a whole lot more cuddly, thanks to its new Paws and Claws paid DLC - which adds a host of animals to pet, with all proceeds going to charity.

Children of Morta follows the tribulations of the Bergson family, custodians of Mount Morta, as they - and players - embark on an evil-thwarting quest that blends fantasy adventure with procedurally generated, rogue-like dungeon-crawling.

Paws and Claws is designed to offer a bit of respite between all the stresses of adventuring, and adds a new Animal Shelter to the family home players are able to return to between jaunts. Here, it's possible to feed and care for a host of animals, including deer, foxes, peacocks, owls, and more, each with their own typically sumptuous animations.

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If you've been wondering what's next for Xbox Game Pass on PC, Microsoft has the answer in the form of three new titles heading to the subscription service soon - and they're all good 'uns, taking the form of A Plague Tale: Innocence, Gris, and Children of Morta.

First up is developer Asobo Studios' stealthy third-person action-adventure, A Plague Tale. Released last year to positive reviews, it offers a bleak, but frequently gorgeous, jaunt through 14th century France, as players - in the role of nobleman's daughter Amicia de Rune - attempt to protect sickly younger sibling Hugo from the grip of the Inquisition.

Its stealth might be a little so-so, but the inventive puzzling - often based around manipulating the hordes of diseased rats ravaging the countryside - is much smarter, and considerably more enjoyable. All in all, it's a strong (if sometimes silly) story-driven adventure, with a cast of engaging, wonderfully realised characters and some frequently breathtaking historical sights. It'd frankly be rude not to give it a go when it comes to Game Pass.

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