My Top Xbox Game Pass Title Recommendations of 2025 — 7 Games Added This Year You Need to Play Today

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For quite some time now, I’ve relished my role as an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member. However, the past year has truly been extraordinary in terms of the abundance of exceptional games that have been incorporated into the service.

If you’re currently an Xbox Game Pass member or considering becoming one, I strongly suggest giving these top seven games a try.

As a researcher, I find it particularly advantageous that should any of these games fail to pique my interest, I can effortlessly transition to another without incurring any additional costs.

Blue Prince

I often find myself attracted to puzzle games, and what sets Blue Prince apart is an unusual, captivating gameplay style that I haven’t experienced before.

You stand poised to claim your wealthy relative’s estate, but there’s a catch: you must navigate through a labyrinthine structure and find Room 46. Along the way, utilize helpful objects, decipher riddles scattered across different spots, and open essential doors. This journey promises challenges and mysteries around every corner!

Each time you open a door, you encounter an unknown arrangement of one out of three sketched rooms that need to be placed – their layout is always a surprise.

PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud

South of Midnight

Growing up in the heartland of America, I’ve never ventured much into the American South, yet the captivating exploration of Southern Gothic folklore in ‘South of Midnight’ left me utterly fascinated.

In this captivating game, you take on the role of Hazel, a young woman who finds herself lost from her mother during a hurricane that sweeps away their home. As the story unfolds, you discover Hazel is no ordinary girl; she possesses magical abilities known as Weaving, which she employs to vanquish mystical beasts.

I adore the unique artistic flair of this game, reminiscent of both clay animation and stop-motion techniques. It also has a slightly unsettling ambiance. For a comprehensive take, feel free to explore my colleague’s South of Midnight review.

PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud

Grounded 2 — Early Access

While Grounded 2 isn’t yet fully released, having entered early access, it has made its way onto Xbox Game Pass this year. Consequently, for the purposes of our discussion, I consider it acceptable.

Similar to the initial game, you assume the character of a miniaturized child trying to endure in a new environment. The novelty here is that aside from crafting and combat, you can also hop onto insects called Buggies for transportation across an expanded map.

But don’t just take my word for it.

Two of my coworkers collaborated on a review for Grounded 2, which is now available in Early Access. If you’re curious to read about it, they found that the game appears to have significant advancements compared to its predecessor after playing it.

PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud

The Alters

Admit it: I haven’t gotten around to playing that sci-fi game yet, but with Very Positive feedback on Steam and a glowing 4.5-star rating from my colleague in their Alters review, it’s high on my list for the next play.

It’s an action-survival game with a unique management twist.

In this scenario, you’ll take on the role of Jan Dolski, a character stranded on an unfriendly extraterrestrial world. To make it off alive, he’ll need to create copies of himself, each with distinct personalities and abilities to guide and help him navigate the challenges ahead.

Besides offering a captivating survival experience, The Alters seemingly compels players to grapple with emotionally intense scenarios and thought-provoking philosophical questions that have been transformed into a digital realm.

PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

From the ongoing review of my colleague on Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, it’s clear that this game is ideal for those seeking a challenging souls-like experience that surpasses the difficulty level of Elden Ring.

Exploring life as Bai Wuchang, a valiant female pirate, you swiftly discover the tumultuous alliances and the escalating Epidemic of Feathers that paint a treacherous backdrop in this imagined historical context of late Ming Dynasty China.

If you thought my previous remarks were an exaggeration, let me clarify that the game Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is extremely tough. If you prefer games that are less demanding, it may be wiser to avoid

PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud

Avowed

I enjoyed Obsidian Entertainment’s newest fantasy RPG so much that I completed it twice before its release, as detailed in our Avowed review. The combat is thrilling, offering the freedom to utilize weapons you prefer. In most cases, I opted for an axe during close-quarters fights and employed a variety of magical spells against distant foes.

In your role as an emissary of the Aedyran Kingdom, you’ve been dispatched on a perilous mission to explore the treacherous Living Lands, plagued by the Dreamscourge that is causing living organisms to undergo disturbing transformations. Throughout your journey, you will aid four distinct companions in their individual narratives and make choices that can significantly impact the story’s outcome.

Avowed is a fun one to replay if you want to see where different choices will take you.

PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Many people I know, including family and friends, have likely heard me enthusiastically talk about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at least once, given how much I think it deserves the title of Game of the Year. This game is a unique blend of turn-based role-playing with real-time events that make battles engaging and unpredictable.

In addition, it stands out from many other role-playing games due to its unique tone and emotional atmosphere. The initial cinematic impressed me greatly with its stunning visuals, and the narrative kept me engaged with its poignant blend of sadness and optimism.

In essence, the game initiates by disclosing that every year, a colossal sea figure known as the Paintress alters a numeral on her monument, following which individuals of specific ages disappear, leaving behind only puffs of smoke and blossoms of petals.

In this rephrased version, you find yourself assuming Gustave’s perspective as he bids farewell to his cherished companion who’s about to vanish. Afterward, Gustave embarks on a mission to challenge the Paintress. This tale promises to engross you right from the outset, and its engaging turn-based combat is truly hard to resist.

You can learn more about it in our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review.

PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud

BONUS: The Outer Worlds 2

Despite the fact that The Outer Worlds 2 has not yet been made available, I can’t imagine finishing this list without mentioning it. Fortunately, the wait will be over for Xbox Game Pass members on October 29, 2025.

According to trailers and official updates from Obsidian Entertainment, it appears that this upcoming first-person sci-fi shooter will involve you venturing into fissures that pose a threat to the settlement of Arcadia.

As you engage with the game’s primary groups, you’ll forge partnerships and encounter choices that could reshape the game’s narrative.

PLATFORMS: Series X|S, PC, Cloud

Dive into these amazing games on Game Pass

This past year has been truly remarkable for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, as an abundance of terrific games have been added to the service in the recent months.

If you enjoy survival games, I’d suggest giving Grounded 2 a try for a lighter, more entertaining spin, or delving into The Alters for a deeper, management-focused and thought-provoking adventure.

If you’re intrigued by fantasy role-playing games, let me highly suggest Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This game offers an extraordinary adventure unlike any other, with a captivating narrative that’ll have you hooked from start to finish.

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2025-08-13 17:35