Xbox Game Pass has achieved success quite successfully in 2025, and the business is closely bound to the success of three of the biggest games of the year. The unusual aspect of this moment is that all three of the highest-rated releases were on the service on the first day of release.
This demonstrates that Xbox Game Pass nowadays is not just a game library. It is currently characterized by its capability to deliver key releases to game players instantly, which is a distinguishing feature among its competitors, such as PlayStation Plus. Hollow Knight: Silk song is the first and most popular title.
The game has been considered one of the most anticipated sequels in recent times. After the initial Hollow Knight enjoyed a cult following and gained fans over the years, fans have waited years before the next installment was developed. When Silksong was finally released, it did not disappoint. It scored 93 on Metacritic and was immediately the highest-rated release of the year.
The combination of the adventure, difficulty, and ambiance has kept gamers active, and the fact that Game Pass subscribers could play it during its first day has contributed to the hype. Millions tested it with the help of the service, and that instant access provided it with even greater cultural weight.
The second game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has a slightly better Metacritic score of 93, close to Silksong. The exceptional thing about this title is that it is one of the pioneer studios, Sandfall Interactive.
To attract this kind of recognition with a first game out is amazing. The game provides a turn-based RPG in third-person perspective with a new visual style, as well as a new narration style. This was the best release of the year before Silksong was introduced. Its polish and ambition, especially as a first project, were lauded by many critics and players, demonstrating what smaller studios can do when provided with a platform like Game Pass.
The third biggest issue is Blue Prince. It might not have received the same attention as the other two, but with a score of 92 on Metacritic, it would have in most years easily topped the list. It is a puzzle adventure game created by a new studio, Dogubomb. It was launched in April and briefly regarded as the best game of the year.
This was soon, however, to be outshone by Clair Obscur and then Silksong. Nevertheless, it should be noted that its great reception confirms that the year has been particularly aggressive and packed with good quality indie work.
The commonality between these three games is that they were all made available to the subscribers of the Xbox Game Pass on the day of their release. They are all temporary components of the service as they are not first-party Xbox titles, though when they are there, they offer enormous value. The subscribers not only have access to them immediately, but can also purchase them with a discount should they wish to retain them upon leaving the service.
This model is advantageous to both gamers and game developers. Players can experience new releases at no additional cost, and developers have access to even more audience and exposure. The bigger issue is the possibility of any future games interfering with this dominance.
Other big releases like Donkey Kong Bananza and Death Stranding 2 have already been launched but failed to outperform these three on the charts. The game that stands the only probability of entering the top rankings is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond that will be released in December. Judging by the history of the series, it might score even higher, though that will rely on its performance upon the launch. So far, Xbox Game Pass is at a distinct advantage in demonstrating the best of 2025.
This year proves that Game Pass is a powerful platform that can deliver the best games to players. It also demonstrates the success of indie and mid-sized studios as their games are exposed directly. Not only are Hollow Knight: Silksong, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Blue Prince critical successes, but they also serve as evidence of how Game Pass is determining the future of the game.