3 Best Games of 2025 Arrive on Xbox Game Pass Day One
It’s been quite a year for Xbox Game Pass, and 2025 might go down as one of its strongest years yet. What’s making the headlines right now is the fact that the three highest-rated games of the year so far were all available on Game Pass the very day they launched. That’s a huge win for Microsoft’s subscription service, which has often been debated but continues to prove its value in ways competitors like PlayStation Plus can’t quite match.
Now, it’s worth pointing out that not every game on Xbox Game Pass shows up on day one. The majority of the library is made up of older titles, rotated in and out over time. But when those big day-one releases do land, they can be game changers. In this case, they’ve helped shape the conversation around the best games of the year.
At the top of the list is Hollow Knight: Silksong , a sequel fans have been waiting on for years. Developed by Team Cherry, it’s already become the highest-rated release of 2025, sitting at an impressive 93 on Metacritic. This metroidvania has drawn in millions of Game Pass subscribers since launch, and while some may be surprised by how high the scores are, longtime fans who followed the hype know exactly why it’s topping charts.
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Close behind is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 , also sitting at a 93 on Metacritic. Released by the new studio Sandfall Interactive, this third-person turn-based RPG made waves earlier in the year as one of the most impressive debuts in recent memory. While it’s technically tied with Silksong in score, it falls just shy of the top due to the way Metacritic averages are calculated. Still, it’s widely regarded as one of the must-play experiences of 2025.
And rounding out the top three is Blue Prince . Released back in April by Dogubomb, this puzzle adventure game originally held the crown as the highest-rated title of the year with a 92 on Metacritic. That momentum was slowed a bit when the other two heavy hitters arrived, but in most years, Blue Prince would have easily been the standout indie game of the year. This just happens to be an unusually competitive season for high-quality releases.
What’s interesting is that none of these three are first-party Xbox titles, which means their stay on Game Pass isn’t guaranteed forever. They’ve all been available since launch, but eventually they may rotate out. Until then, subscribers not only get to play them at no extra cost, but they also have the option to buy them outright with a discount while they’re still on the service.
Looking ahead, there are still a few big names that could shake up the rankings, including the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond , set to drop in December. But for now, Xbox Game Pass can claim a huge win in 2025 — three of the best games of the year, all landing in the library on day one.
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