As a long-time PC gamer accustomed to the allure of Steam sales, I never felt compelled to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass—until now. The unexpected release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered by Bethesda and Virtuos directly onto Game Pass, coupled with the imminent arrival of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive, has shifted my perspective. These titles, arriving back-to-back, have finally convinced me to take the plunge into Game Pass.
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 unveiled and launched across PC, consoles, and Game Pass on April 22. I spent the better part of the day downloading it and the night immersed in its enchanting music. The remaster brings new character models, enhanced combat interactions, and revamped VFX, while retaining the charm of the original's quirky dialogue, thanks to the addition of over five new voice actors. The base edition retails at $49.99, including the original DLCs, with a deluxe edition available for an additional $10.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots
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On the other hand, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the much-anticipated debut from French studio Sandfall Interactive, is set to launch tonight at 12am PST in the U.S. It boasts an impressive 92 rating on Metacritic, with IGN awarding it a 9/10 for its compelling story and describing it as "a true modern throwback." The game's sleek UI echoes the style of the Persona series, and its turn-based combat system is one of the most innovative I've seen. Like Oblivion Remastered, it's priced at $49.99 for the base edition.
While Expedition 33 was poised to be the star of April's Game Pass lineup, the surprise drop of Oblivion Remastered has cast a shadow over its release. However, I see this as a win-win situation; with Game Pass, I can enjoy both games without breaking the bank. Instead of shelling out $100 for two new titles, I've opted for a $20 Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Now, the only challenge is finding time to step away from my screen.
Game Pass continues to expand its library, with recent additions like Blue Prince, South of Midnight, and Avowed, alongside perennial favorites such as GTA V and the entire Call of Duty collection. There truly is something for everyone.
Game Pass Is a Ridiculously Good Deal Right Now
Game Pass Ultimate is available for $19.99 per month, offering access to the entire Game Pass library across consoles, PCs, and cloud gaming. For PC enthusiasts, the PC-only Game Pass is a more affordable option at $9.99 per month. The Standard and Core tiers, priced at $14.99 and $9.99 per month respectively, do not include day-one releases. The last price increase for Game Pass occurred in July 2024, and given the caliber of games being added, further price adjustments may be on the horizon.
Currently, there are no active Game Pass deals, but purchasing a three-month subscription could shield you from future price hikes. For deals on other platforms, check out our roundup of PS5, PC, and Switch offers. Additionally, U.S. preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 open tonight.
