If you’ve been wondering whether your Xbox Game Pass subscription is worth it in 2025, the answer is a resounding yes. This year has been nothing short of historic for Xbox’s subscription service, and here’s why: the three highest-rated games of 2025 all launched as day-one Xbox Game Pass titles. That’s right—subscribers didn’t just get early access; they got access on release day to what critics are calling the very best experiences of the year.
As someone who follows the gaming industry closely, I can tell you this isn’t a small achievement. In fact, it’s a direct signal of how Xbox Game Pass is redefining player expectations and proving its value against PlayStation Plus, its biggest rival. Let’s break down exactly what this means for you and why these games matter so much.
Day-One Releases: The Secret Sauce of Xbox Game Pass
Here’s the deal: not every game that arrives on Xbox Game Pass is a day-one release, but when they are, that’s where the magic happens. A day-one title means you can jump in the same moment players across the globe are buying it at full price. And if you end up falling in love with the game, Game Pass subscribers also get the option to buy it with a 20% discount—a perk that shouldn’t be overlooked.
In 2025, that strategy paid off in a massive way. Instead of being defined by just the size of its library, Xbox Game Pass is now being shaped by the quality of its day-one additions. And leading the charge? A trio of critically acclaimed titles that are topping Metacritic charts.
Hollow Knight: Silksong – The Crown Jewel of 2025 (Metacritic 93)
Let’s start with the big one. Hollow Knight: Silksong finally landed this year, and trust me, it was worth every second of the wait. Developed by Team Cherry, this long-anticipated sequel has been sitting on fans’ wishlists for years, and now it’s here with a Metacritic score of 93.
What makes Silksong such a standout? If you played the original Hollow Knight, you know how tight its combat, world design, and atmosphere were. Silksong takes that foundation and builds something even grander. It’s not just another metroidvania—it’s the metroidvania of this generation. And thanks to Xbox Game Pass, millions of players got to jump in on day one without paying anything beyond their subscription fee.
I’ve seen plenty of sequels struggle under the weight of hype, but Silksong nails it. The level of polish, the handcrafted world, and the pure joy of exploration easily explain why it’s sitting as the highest-rated new release of 2025. For Game Pass, this wasn’t just a win—it was a headline moment.
Must Read: Xbox Game Pass September 2025: Hollow Knight Silksong Headlines Six New Arrivals
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – An Indie Triumph (Metacritic 93)
Just before Silksong stole the spotlight, another gem was holding the crown: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Released earlier this year, this third-person, turn-based RPG is the debut project from Sandfall Interactive—and wow, what a debut. It sits at a 93 on Metacritic, which puts it neck-and-neck with Silksong.
Here’s what’s fascinating: Expedition 33 isn’t some massive AAA production. It’s an indie RPG, yet it feels like a carefully sculpted love letter to fans of narrative-driven adventures. From the richly written characters to the inventive combat system, the game showed that even a brand-new studio can step up and deliver something unforgettable.
For Xbox Game Pass subscribers, Expedition 33 was one of those “hidden treasure” moments. Without the service, many players might have missed it in the shuffle of bigger releases. But with day-one access, it instantly found a huge audience, and the reception has been phenomenal.
Blue Prince – The Quiet Contender (Metacritic 92)
Now let’s talk about the underdog of this story: Blue Prince. Released back in April, this puzzle-adventure game came from debut studio Dogubomb, and while it may not have had the same hype machine as Hollow Knight: Silksong, it absolutely earned its spot in the conversation. With a Metacritic score of 92, Blue Prince isn’t far behind its two competitors.
The charm of Blue Prince lies in its clever design. It mixes atmospheric storytelling with mind-bending puzzles, giving you an experience that feels both intimate and challenging. When it launched, it actually held the title of the highest-rated game of 2025—at least until Expedition 33 and Silksong swooped in.
For most years, a game like Blue Prince would be a shoo-in for “Indie Game of the Year.” But 2025 is a year of giants, and even so, it’s remarkable that this debut managed to stay in the top three. For Xbox Game Pass subscribers, it’s one of those titles that proves why the service isn’t just about blockbuster games—it’s also about finding fresh, imaginative projects that might otherwise fly under your radar.
Must Read: All the New Games Coming to Xbox Game Pass
What This Means for Xbox Game Pass
When you look at these three titles together—Hollow Knight: Silksong, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Blue Prince—a pattern emerges. All of them launched as day-one Xbox Game Pass releases, and all of them represent the best of 2025 gaming so far. That’s not a coincidence; it’s part of Xbox’s long-term strategy.
Unlike PlayStation Plus, which relies more on back-catalogue offerings, Xbox is banking on day-one drops to define its subscription service. And honestly? It’s working. The value proposition is clear: you’re paying a monthly fee, and in return, you’re getting instant access to games that are dominating the charts. That’s a level of convenience—and savings—that traditional game purchasing can’t really compete with.
As a gamer, this means you don’t have to gamble $60 or $70 on a game you’re unsure about. You can dive in, explore, and decide for yourself without the financial sting. And for developers, Game Pass provides a launch platform that puts their titles in front of millions of players immediately. It’s a win-win ecosystem, and 2025 is the year that proves it.
Looking Ahead: Can Xbox Keep This Streak Alive?
Of course, the big question now is: can Xbox Game Pass keep this up? The year isn’t over yet, and there’s at least one heavyweight waiting in the wings: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which drops in December. Based on the track record of the series, it’s the only game with a real chance of dethroning Silksong or Expedition 33 as the year’s highest-rated title. If it manages to do so, it’ll be a buzzer-beater moment to close out 2025.
Beyond this year, though, 2026 already looks promising. Microsoft has lined up several noteworthy day-one Game Pass releases, ensuring the momentum doesn’t slow down. For subscribers, that means the value of sticking with the service only grows.
And here’s the kicker—2025 may go down as the year that Xbox Game Pass fully cemented itself as the most consumer-friendly subscription in gaming. With three of the year’s top-rated titles landing directly in your library on day one, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Must Read: Upcoming PS5 Games in September 2025: Full Lineup and What to Expect
Final Thoughts
2025 has shown us something crystal clear: Xbox Game Pass isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving. By delivering Hollow Knight: Silksong, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Blue Prince as day-one releases, it’s proven that the service isn’t just about quantity; it’s about quality.
As a player, you get to experience the most celebrated titles of the year without extra cost, while developers gain instant access to one of the largest gaming audiences out there. That’s the kind of win-win scenario that reshapes the industry.
So if you’re still on the fence about whether Xbox Game Pass is worth it, 2025 has already given you three unbeatable reasons to subscribe.
