Xbox Game Pass: A Must-Have for RPG Enthusiasts

I may have dabbled with Xbox in the early days, but at some point I made the full switch over to PC gaming. The high frequency of Steam sales has usually been enough to tide me over on newer releases. So while I knew Game Pass was out there and did occasionally offer some big name games, there was never a moment where it felt like it would be worth it for me, personally. Well, until yesterday.

Bethesda and Virtuos shadow-dropping Oblivion Remastered straight onto Game Pass? A badly kept secret, but still an insane reveal. Tomorrow, the gaming subscription will get Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the stylish debut from Sandfall Interactive that takes inspiration from the JRPG greats. I have to admit, as a die-hard RPG fan: Microsoft, you finally got me.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Both Hit Game Pass This Week

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – 1 Month Membership – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, Cloud Gaming Devices [Digital Code]

$19.99 at Amazon

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was revealed and released on PC, consoles, and Game Pass on April 22. Like most people, I spent most of the day downloading the game and most of the night immersing myself in its stunning music. Highlights from the near-remake include new character models, enhanced combat interactions, and remastered visual effects. While they did enlist more than five new voice actors, Virtuos wisely retained the charm of the original's quirky dialogue. The base edition of the remaster launched at a price of $49.99, which includes both the original DLCs, with a deluxe edition available for $10 more.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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Meanwhile, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 marks the long-awaited debut of French studio Sandfall Interactive. Ahead of its launch at midnight PST tonight in the U.S., it boasts a stellar 92 rating on Metacritic, with IGN's 9/10 review lauding the story design and describing it "as a true modern throwback." The game's stylish UI evokes the Persona series, and early gameplay footage showcases one of the most innovative turn-based combat systems I've seen. The base edition is launching at the same price as the Bethesda remaster: $49.99.

While Expedition 33 was marketed as the headline of April's Game Pass lineup, the surprise release of Oblivion Remastered has raised concerns about it overshadowing the indie game's debut. However, from my perspective, we're getting two exceptional games, and Game Pass makes enjoying both easier on the wallet. Instead of spending $100 on two new games, I spent $20 on a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Now the only question is when I'll touch grass again.

Plenty more of 2025's biggest games have recently made it onto the service, including Blue Prince, South of Midnight, and Avowed, joining mainstay classics like GTA V and, of course, the full spread of Call of Duty. It really does seem like there's something for everyone.

Game Pass Is a Ridiculously Good Deal Right Now

Game Pass Ultimate starts at $19.99/month and gives you access to the full Game Pass library across console and PC as well as cloud gaming. The exclusive-to-PC Game Pass lowers that cost to $9.99/month. The Standard and Core subscription tiers are $14.99/month and $9.99/month, respectively, but don't include day one releases. The last Game Pass price hike was in July 2024, and with these types of game launches, I wouldn’t be surprised if those prices go up again sometime this year.

While there aren’t any live Game Pass deals right now, you can pick up a three-month subscription that might save you from any future price hikes. For other platforms, feel free to check out our roundup of PS5, PC, and Switch deals. Speaking of, U.S. preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 go live tonight.