There’s arguably no better value in the industry thanXbox Game Pass. More than just a way to play the latest first-party games on day one, it offers countless surprises, hidden gems, and major third-party releases that have been available on the Game Pass library.
9 Best Soulslikes On Xbox Game Pass
Microsoft’s service offers numerous gems for fans of the Soulsborne formula.
One of the biggest selling points of Xbox Game Pass is the ability to play select games “Day One,” the same day they are released. This has already been a great benefit this year, as theearly frontrunner for 2025 Game of the Yearwas a Day One release for Game Pass.
That got us thinking: what are the best Day-One Xbox Game Pass games of all time? After much soul-searching and taking trips down memory lane, here’s what we came up with.
10Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
One Of The Best Games In Recent Memory
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Fextralife Wiki
Let’s begin with that potential 2025 Game of the Year winner.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33is heavily inspired by old-school RPGs but isn’t afraid to give the genre a much-needed facelift. Its gameplay does an excellent job of blending traditionalturn-based combatwith some flair and inspiration from theSoulslikegenre. The result is an engaging combat system that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
Not that I needed help to remain engaged; this story is incredible, from its emotional opening prologue, all the way until the credits roll. It’s an incredible roller coaster that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, andI cannot recommend this game enough.
Expedition 33 is a masterclass from new developer Sandfall Interactive. It proves that video games don’t need to be bogged down with endless features or out-of-control budgets to deliver an unforgettable experience. Please, do yourself a favor, and don’t miss out on this game.
8 Best Xbox Exclusives on Xbox Game Pass
Don’t miss these incredible Xbox exclusives, all of which are available on Xbox Game Pass.
9The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Return Of The King
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
After what felt like countless rumors and speculation, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was real and a surprise Day One shadow drop on Xbox Game Pass. It was a long wait, but boy, was that wait worth it.
This is the Oblivion experience the beloved open-world RPG deserves,vastly improving on the originalin every possible way while also still capturing the charm and essence of what makes Oblivion such a beloved game.
Let’s not mince words here: Oblivion is an incredibly janky experience that could have used some polish and refinement, but honestly, that’s part of what makes the game so great. The decision to keep all of its quirks intact while overhauling its leveling process and including quality-of-life updates helps make it one of the best remasters ever.
8Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
A Faithful Adaptation
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
It turns out the best way to keep the Indiana Jones franchise relevant is in video game form.Indiana Jones and the Great Circleis an incredibly faithful adaptation of the beloved movies, and it easily outperforms both modern movies.
Between the action, storytelling, presentation, and puzzle solving, Great Circle features everything you could have ever wanted from a modern Indiana Jones game.
Troy Baker’s performance of the titular character evenreceived rave reviews from Harrison Ford himself. That’s how you know you’ve made it.
This is everything you’d want from a modern action-adventure, perfectly balancing traditional action combat and puzzle-solving. Staying true to the source material is the icing on the cake.
7Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
Clash Of Ninja
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
I still can’t believe this game exists.
Ninja Gaiden 2 was always a great, albeit flawed, action experience for the Xbox 360, but I often found myself booting up Ninja Gaiden Black instead. It felt like the definitiveNinja Gaidenrelease.
Now, after playing throughNinja Gaiden 2 Black, I’m not quite sure. Yes, the camera is still annoying to deal with. While there’s still a reduced number of enemies present, it’s something that I ultimately feel is inconsequential. This is the only way I want to play Ninja Gaiden 2, combining the fast-paced action the franchise is known for, an impressive arsenal of weapons at your disposal, and an incredible graphical showcase.
I’m not saying that it’s better than the 2004 masterpiece Ninja Gaiden for the original Xbox, but man, it’s closer than you think. From start to finish, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a thrill ride you won’t want to end.
6DOOM Eternal
Rip And Tear
DOOM Eternal
2016’s DOOM was a breath of fresh air in the FPS genre. It felt like things were moving too far from the genre’s roots as games incorporated the worst parts of modern titles. Enter DOOM 2016, which (literally) flipped the middle finger at those developments.
Four years later, we were blessed with DOOM Eternal, an incredible sequel that expands on the old-school, fast-pacedboomer shooterstyle of gameplay while proving that sometimes bigger is indeed better.
DOOM Eternal is an excellent example of the best of modern AAA game design. It’s not afraid to use its budget to good effect, delivering a gorgeous, fine-tuned experience without overstaying its welcome with bloat or unnecessary features. It doesn’t attempt to do too much; instead, it sticks with what works and polishes it to an immaculate shine.
If you’re looking for a refresher on why the DOOM reboot has gone well, do yourself a favor and remind yourself why DOOM Eternal is an all-time FPS legend.
Every DOOM Game, Ranked
With the looming approach of DOOM: Dark Ages, we’re excited to rank every game that came before it.
5GoldenEye 007
Shaken, Not Stirred
GoldenEye 007
Stay with me here. Yes, booting upGoldenEye 007onNintendo 64 won’t be anywhere near as good as we remember it. We’re not doing that here, though. We’re playing it on Xbox, and my god, it’s an incredible experience.
All of the flaws from the Nintendo 64 version are gone. The framerate runs perfectly, the controls are smoother than butter, and the campaign holds up extraordinarily well.
It’s amazing what a remaster does for this game, and yes, it’s disappointing that the multiplayer experience feels lacking without online gameplay on Xbox, but that doesn’t matter. I can’t tell you how many times I boot up this game just for the single-player campaign. It’s so well-paced and just so much fun from start to finish. Best of all, it’s actually playable now on an Xbox controller.
Don’t let this game’s stigma hold you back from checking it out.
A Wonderful Hybrid Of Zelda And Dark Souls
If I could describeTunicin one word, it would be magical.
The way it instills a sense of wonder in the player is a true sight to behold. Yes, it borrows a lot from the older Legend of Zelda titles, but it does so by respecting those games rather thancopying them.
Tunic doesn’t hold your hand; instead, it lets players explore its world, including building its in-game instruction manual as you explore. Combined with its Dark Souls-inspired combat, there’s a challenge for sure, but it’s not impossible.
If anything, that sense of danger lurking around every corner plays brilliantly into the game’s themes, resulting in the story, aesthetic, and gameplay coming together in perfect harmony. There aren’t many games on the market like Tunic. It’s adorable and haunting at the same time, delivering an unforgettable indie experience made accessible by being a Day One Xbox Game Pass release.
3Forza Horizon 5
It’s Time For A Vacation
Forza Horizon 5
One of the biggest reasons why there’s so much hope and anticipation over the upcomingFablereboot is the pedigree of developerPlayground Games, best known for their work on theForza Horizonfranchise. While some argue that Forza Horizon 4 is the superior experience, I’m giving the edge toForza Horizon 5.
There’s just so much content out there waiting for you as the Horizon festival makes its way to Mexico. Its map is 50% larger than its predecessor, offering a wide variety of locales to experience. Driving alongside beaches, through jungles and ancient temples, and even climbing a volcano are just a taste of what to expect, and it’s all backed by the solid foundation that is the Forza Horizon gameplay loop.
There’s no open-world racer that comes close to matching the Forza Horizon 5 experience, and while it’s nice to see Playground Games try something new, I can’t help but miss the Horizon franchise.
2Undertale
An Immediate Indie Cult Classic
What is there to say aboutUndertalethat hasn’t been said already?
Yes, technically, it launched before Xbox Game Pass was a thing, but its debut on the Xbox platform came as a Day One Xbox Game Pass release. As a result, it introduced the iconic indie title to a brand new audience that could check out the hype on their own time.
This is the RPG for people who hate RPGs. Undertale is an incredible balance of wackiness, witty dialogue, and profound emotional moments. You’re drawn to its art style before the gameplay grabs hold and never lets go.
There are so many ways to experience Undertale, whether you play it traditionally or try one of the possible pacifist runs, that you keep coming back to it again and again.
1Slay the Spire
The Ultimate Deckbuilder
Slay the Spire
What happens when you combine a well-designed roguelike with an addictive deckbuilder? You getSlay the Spire!
Combining these two genres results in a masterpiece of game design. The more you play, the more you learn to appreciate its complexities.
Yes, there’s some randomness involved here, but more often than not, you’re making your own luck through decisions made when it comes to building your deck.
Because of this, there isn’t necessarily an “optimal” way to build your decks. The game actively encourages creativity and trying something new rather than sticking with the tried and true methods that others have perfected.
It results in most, if not all, of your runs being different from the last. Yes, that’s a hallmark of the roguelike genre, but that feeling is multiplied thanks to the deckbuilding aspect Slay the Spire offers.
10 Best Open World Games On Xbox Game Pass
Explore unique and vibrant worlds of some of the best open-world games on Xbox Game Pass.
