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]
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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 basking in its music. Highlights from this near-remake include new character models, enhanced combat interactions, and remastered VFX. Although they enlisted over five new voice actors, Virtuos wisely retained the original's charmingly janky dialogue. The base edition of the remaster launched at $49.99, including both original DLCs, with a deluxe edition available for just $10 more.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots
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Meanwhile, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 marks the eagerly awaited debut from French studio Sandfall Interactive. Set to launch at 12am PST tonight in the U.S., it boasts a stellar 92 rating on Metacritic, with IGN's 9/10 review lauding its story design and calling it "a true modern throwback." The game's stylish UI echoes the Persona series, and early gameplay footage showcases one of the most innovative turn-based combat systems I've seen. The base edition is priced at the same $49.99 as the Bethesda remaster.
While Expedition 33 was initially marketed as the star of April's Game Pass lineup, the surprise release of Oblivion Remastered has sparked some worry about overshadowing the indie game's launch. From my perspective, however, we're getting two amazing games, and Game Pass makes it easier on the wallet to enjoy both. Instead of spending $100 on two new games, I invested $20 in 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, which join mainstay classics like GTA V and, of course, the full spread of Call of Duty. It truly seems 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, PC, and cloud gaming. The PC-only Game Pass subscription is more budget-friendly at $9.99/month. The Standard and Core tiers are priced at $14.99/month and $9.99/month, respectively, though they don't include day-one releases. The last Game Pass price increase occurred in July 2024, and with such high-profile game launches, I wouldn't be surprised if prices rise again later this year.
While there aren't any live Game Pass deals right now, you can opt for a three-month subscription to hedge against future price hikes. For deals on other platforms, check out our roundup of PS5, PC, and Switch deals. Speaking of, U.S. preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 go live tonight.
