"Xbox Game Pass: A Must-Have for RPG Enthusiasts"

As a long-time PC gamer accustomed to the allure of Steam sales, I never felt the pull of Xbox Game Pass—until yesterday. Bethesda and Virtuos stunned the gaming world by shadow-dropping The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered directly onto Game Pass. While it was a poorly kept secret, the reveal was nothing short of electrifying. Adding to the excitement, tomorrow brings Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to the service, a debut from Sandfall Interactive that's been turning heads with its JRPG-inspired flair. As a fervent RPG enthusiast, I must confess: Microsoft, you've finally won me over.

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 made its grand entrance on PC, consoles, and Game Pass on April 22. Like countless others, I spent the better part of the day downloading the game and the night immersing myself in its rejuvenated world. This borderline-remake boasts new character models, enhanced combat interactions, and remastered visual effects. While Virtuos brought in over five new voice actors, they wisely retained the charm of the original's quirky dialogue. The base edition of the remaster is priced at $49.99 and includes the original DLCs, with a deluxe edition available for an additional $10.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

View 6 Images

On the other hand, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 marks the eagerly anticipated debut of French studio Sandfall Interactive. Set to launch at midnight PST tonight in the U.S., it's already earning high praise with a 92 rating on Metacritic and a glowing 9/10 review from IGN, which lauds its story design as "a true modern throwback." The game's stylish UI evokes the Persona series, and its turn-based combat system is among the most innovative I've witnessed. Priced at $49.99, the base edition matches the cost of the Bethesda remaster.

Although Expedition 33 was slated to be the star of April's Game Pass lineup, Oblivion Remastered's unexpected release has cast a shadow over the indie game's debut. However, I see it as a win-win scenario: we're getting two phenomenal games, and Game Pass makes it more affordable. Instead of shelling out $100 for two new titles, I opted for a $20 Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Now, the only dilemma is when I'll next see the outdoors.

The service has also recently welcomed other major 2025 titles like Blue Prince, South of Midnight, and Avowed, joining long-standing favorites such as GTA V and the full range of Call of Duty. Truly, there's something for every gamer on Game Pass.

Game Pass Is a Ridiculously Good Deal Right Now

Game Pass Ultimate, priced at $19.99 per month, grants access to the entire Game Pass library across console, PC, and cloud gaming. The PC-only version is a more budget-friendly $9.99 per month. Meanwhile, the Standard and Core tiers, at $14.99 and $9.99 per month respectively, do not include day-one releases. The last price increase for Game Pass was in July 2024, and given the caliber of these game launches, another hike could be on the horizon this year.

While no live deals are currently available for Game Pass, opting for a three-month subscription could shield you from future price increases. For deals on other platforms, check out our curated lists for PS5, PC, and Switch. And don't miss out—U.S. preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 go live tonight.