25 best Game Pass games on Xbox and PC as of April 30, 2026

Short answer: Start with Hades II for the best all-around Game Pass pick, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for a major RPG, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for adventure, Forza Horizon 5 for racing, or Grounded for co-op.

This is a dated catalog snapshot checked against Game Pass announcements and availability for April 30, 2026, after the month’s second wave. It covers Xbox console and Windows PC games, with cloud streaming identified separately. Game Pass availability changes by plan, platform, region, and date, so confirm the listing in the Xbox app before downloading.

“Best” here means the games that make a Game Pass library more valuable—not simply the titles with the highest review scores. The ranking balances quality, variety, replayability, subscription value, platform coverage, and how useful each game is to an Xbox or Windows PC player choosing what to install next.

The April 30 cutoff matters. Several well-known games left during April, while Metaphor: ReFantazio was still available on April 30 but was later scheduled to leave on May 31. This list should therefore be read as a historical April 2026 guide, not as a permanent or August 2026 catalog ranking.

At a glance: the five best places to start

Pick	Best for	Why start here
Hades II	Best overall	Fast combat, meaningful upgrades, and runs that remain rewarding after repeated failure.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33	Best RPG	A cinematic, story-heavy RPG that makes turn-based combat active rather than passive.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle	Best adventure	Exploration, puzzles, stealth, and cinematic set pieces in a focused single-player package.
Forza Horizon 5	Best racing game	Easy to pick up, enormous in scope, and equally good for solo driving or relaxed multiplayer.
Grounded	Best co-op	A four-player survival adventure with a clear campaign, clever building, and a memorable setting.

Platform shorthand: “Xbox” means local play on an Xbox console, but Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S support are not interchangeable. “PC” means Windows PC through the Xbox app unless stated otherwise. “Cloud” means streaming where supported; it does not necessarily mean the game can be downloaded on every plan or in every region. Play Anywhere, cross-save, cross-play, and cloud streaming are separate features.

The 25 best Game Pass games on Xbox and PC

1. Hades II

Best for: fast, replayable action and players who want a game that works equally well in short bursts or long sessions.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass in the April announcement. Commitment: Short individual runs; effectively 40+ hours for players pursuing major progression and repeat play.

Hades II is the strongest new addition in this snapshot. Its top-down combat is immediate, but each run also feeds an evolving story, new abilities, and long-term upgrades. The result is a roguelike that does not treat failure as wasted time. It is a sequel, but newcomers do not need to finish the original Hades first; the characters and systems are approachable on their own. Microsoft announced its Xbox arrival for April 14 and described the Xbox version as the most complete version of the game at launch. See Microsoft’s Hades II announcement.

Caveat: The combat is demanding, and the game’s loop is built around repeating areas. Players looking for a conventional one-and-done campaign may prefer Indiana Jones or South of Midnight.

2. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best for: story-focused RPG players, especially people who think turn-based combat is too slow.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Ultimate and PC Game Pass at launch. Commitment: Long, roughly 30–60 hours depending on exploration and optional content.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 combines traditional turn-based choices with real-time reactions: dodges, parries, and timed attacks make every round more active. Its surreal Belle Époque-inspired world and tightly structured story give it a distinct identity, while its party and progression systems provide the scale expected of a substantial RPG. It is one of the best recommendations for someone who wants a serious narrative without abandoning mechanical depth. Microsoft’s Game Pass announcement covers its catalog arrival.

Caveat: It still expects attention from the player. The story is not a background activity, and the timing-based combat may be frustrating if you prefer purely menu-driven RPGs.

3. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Best for: puzzle-solving, exploration, stealth, and cinematic single-player adventure.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Check the dated catalog listing for the applicable tier. Commitment: Medium, around 20–30 hours with optional discoveries.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a strong all-purpose recommendation because it varies its pace. You can investigate an archaeological site, solve a compact puzzle, sneak through a guarded compound, or enjoy a large action sequence without the game becoming an open-world checklist. It is built for exploration and observation as much as shooting, making it a better fit for adventure fans than for players seeking a pure first-person shooter. Check the official platform listing.

Xbox One warning: This is not an Xbox One game. The official listing identifies Xbox Series X|S, PC, handheld, and cloud availability, so Xbox One owners need cloud access or a newer console.

4. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

Best for: a large open-world fantasy RPG with exploration, factions, quests, and room to wander.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Ultimate and PC Game Pass; added to Premium on April 16 according to the April wave announcement. Commitment: Very long, 50–100+ hours depending on how much of the world you pursue.

The remaster gives a classic Bethesda role-playing game a modern visual presentation while preserving the open-ended structure that made Oblivion memorable. Its appeal is not a perfectly directed campaign; it is the feeling of drifting from a guild quest to a ruined fort, an accidental crime, or an unrelated local story. Microsoft listed the April 16 Game Pass addition here.

Caveats: It is not an Xbox One game. Performance considerations and legacy design quirks also remain relevant: this is a remastered older RPG, not a completely redesigned modern open world. Choose it if you enjoy exploration and systems more than constant cinematic momentum.

5. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Best for: demanding 2D exploration, platforming, and metroidvania fans.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Commitment: Long, roughly 30–60+ hours depending on completion goals.

Silksong expands the precise movement, interconnected areas, boss encounters, and environmental discovery associated with the Hollow Knight formula. It rewards curiosity: progress often comes from learning how locations connect and how Hornet’s abilities change what is possible.

Caveat: Difficulty is central, not incidental. Expect repeated attempts, backtracking, and occasional uncertainty about where to go next. It is one of the best games on the service for the right player and a poor recommendation for anyone who wants a forgiving platformer.

See the official Silksong listing.

6. The Outer Worlds 2

Best for: choice-driven first-person science-fiction role-playing.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud/handheld. Plan: Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Commitment: Long, approximately 30–50 hours.

The Outer Worlds 2 is built around conversation choices, faction politics, character builds, and the freedom to approach problems in different ways. It is a substantial newer RPG for players who enjoy making decisions and seeing the consequences rather than simply following a linear sequence of battles.

It should not be described as a replacement for Fallout or Starfield. Its world is more compact and its tone, structure, and priorities are different. That smaller focus is an advantage if you want an RPG that respects your time, but a limitation if you want a huge sandbox. Read Microsoft’s launch announcement.

7. Avowed

Best for: first-person fantasy combat, companion quests, and flexible character builds.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Game Pass availability varies by plan; check the current catalog label. Commitment: Medium to long, about 25–40 hours.

Avowed gives players a choice of weapons, spells, abilities, and approaches while moving through a series of richly designed fantasy areas. Companion stories and faction decisions add weight to exploration, and the game is more interested in choices and local conflicts than in presenting one enormous uninterrupted map.

It is connected to the Pillars of Eternity universe, but it is not a direct sequel that requires previous knowledge. New players can begin here; returning fans will simply recognize more of the setting and lore. See the official Avowed page.

8. DOOM: The Dark Ages

Best for: aggressive single-player first-person shooting.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Commitment: Medium, approximately 15–25 hours for the campaign and selected extras.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is a good choice when you want a campaign rather than a live-service commitment. Its combat rewards forward momentum, target prioritization, and using the arsenal decisively. The medieval setting and prequel position also give it a different flavor from the modern DOOM games without abandoning their speed and violence. Microsoft announced its Game Pass launch here.

Caveat: It is Series X|S-only on console. Cloud play can also be a less comfortable option for demanding combat if your connection introduces input delay.

9. Starfield

Best for: slow-burn space exploration, ship customization, and long-form RPG progression.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Check the plan label in the April catalog. Commitment: Very long or effectively endless.

Starfield is at its best when treated as a patient role-playing sandbox. You can pursue faction quests, improve a character build, customize ships, scan worlds, gather resources, or simply follow a lead that turns into a much longer detour. It provides an enormous amount of potential playtime for a subscription.

Who should skip it: Players who need constant cinematic momentum or a densely authored open world may find its travel and exploration pace too slow. It rewards curiosity and routine more than every-minute spectacle. Microsoft has repeatedly identified it as a Game Pass title, including in its console announcements. See Microsoft’s Starfield and Xbox catalog context.

10. Forza Horizon 5

Best for: open-world racing, relaxed multiplayer, and a game that is easy to enjoy without a large time commitment.

Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Confirm the applicable catalog tier. Commitment: Short sessions or effectively endless.

The Mexico map, large car roster, forgiving driving model, and constant stream of events make Forza Horizon 5 the safest all-purpose recommendation on this list. You can play for ten minutes, spend an evening tuning cars, or join friends for casual races without needing to understand a complicated progression system. Read the official Game Pass availability announcement.

DLC note: The base game is not the same as the Premium edition or expansion bundles. Expansions and other add-ons are not automatically included with the base subscription, though member discounts may apply.

11. Diablo IV

Best for: loot-driven action RPG combat, seasonal progression, and co-op.

Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC; cloud availability should be checked. Plan: Availability varies by plan. Commitment: Medium for the campaign; effectively endless for seasonal and endgame play.

Diablo IV is built for the satisfying loop of defeating enemies, collecting better equipment, refining a build, and taking on more difficult challenges. It works solo but becomes especially enjoyable with friends, and its class variety makes a second playthrough meaningfully different.

Included-content warning: Game Pass covers the base game, not every expansion, premium battle-pass item, cosmetic, or other paid content. Microsoft confirmed its Xbox and PC Game Pass availability in its catalog expansion announcement. Read that announcement.

12. Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Best for: classic console-shooter campaigns and competitive or cooperative multiplayer.

Platforms: Xbox console and Windows PC. Plan: Check the April catalog for the exact tier and cloud label. Commitment: Short individual campaigns; very long as a collection.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection is less one game than a substantial library. It lets players move through the series’ major campaigns and multiplayer modes, making it one of the best values for anyone who wants both solo history and online shooting in one download.

New players should not assume every included game feels identical. Campaign order, mechanics, visual presentation, and multiplayer population vary across the collection. Begin with Halo: Combat Evolved if you want release-order context, or start with Halo 2 if you want the series’ most influential early campaign.

13. Grounded

Best for: four-player survival co-op, base building, and a structured adventure.

Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Confirm the tier in the catalog. Commitment: Long with a group; shorter if rushing the story.

Grounded shrinks the player to insect size and turns an ordinary backyard into a dangerous ecosystem. Gathering materials, building shelters, fighting hostile creatures, and upgrading equipment all serve a clear adventure rather than an endless survival routine. That structure makes it a particularly good choice for friends or families who want co-op with a destination.

It supports up to four-player cooperative play and is available across Xbox, Windows PC, and Game Pass/cloud channels identified by Microsoft. See Microsoft’s Grounded overview.

14. Sea of Thieves

Best for: social co-op, sailing, exploration, and unscripted multiplayer stories.

Platforms: Xbox and Windows PC; check cloud and plan availability. Commitment: Short sessions or effectively endless.

Sea of Thieves is less about clearing a map than creating stories with a crew. A routine voyage can become a naval battle, treasure chase, rescue mission, or chaotic encounter with another ship. Its sailing, exploration, and shared-world systems provide a type of multiplayer that a traditional campaign cannot replicate.

Solo-player warning: You can play alone, but many of the game’s best moments depend on cooperation, improvisation, and communication. Sessions can also be uneven, especially when another crew interferes with your plans. Microsoft’s Xbox and PC overview confirms its Game Pass-era availability.

15. Age of Empires IV

Best for: real-time strategy, especially on PC.

Platforms: Windows PC and Xbox versions; check the April catalog for the exact console and cloud labels. Plan: PC Game Pass; Xbox availability depends on the applicable catalog tier. Commitment: Short matches or hundreds of hours for campaign and multiplayer play.

Age of Empires IV remains one of the clearest demonstrations of why PC Game Pass is useful. It combines historical campaigns with resource management, technology progression, base construction, and competitive matches. The PC version offers the deepest control scheme, while the Xbox version adapts the interface for a controller rather than simply copying the mouse-and-keyboard experience.

It launched into PC Game Pass as part of Microsoft’s long-running strategy catalog. Read the launch coverage.

16. Hades

Best for: a compact, established action roguelike and players new to the genre.

Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Check the current catalog label. Commitment: Short runs; roughly 20–40 hours for major story progression, with extensive replayability.

The original Hades remains an excellent entry point because its combat is clean, its upgrade choices are easy to understand, and its story responds to failure instead of treating it as a reset. It belongs beside Hades II rather than being made redundant by it: the original is a more established and compact choice, while the sequel is the major April headliner.

See its Xbox Game Pass announcement.

17. Balatro

Best for: short sessions, deckbuilding, and dangerously compelling replayability.

Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC. Plan: Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass; verify lower-tier placement. Commitment: Five-minute sessions or effectively endless.

Balatro uses poker hands as the foundation for a roguelike deckbuilder. You are not playing conventional poker for money: the goal is to assemble combinations, jokers, modifiers, and upgrades that let a deck score increasingly demanding rounds. It is simple to explain and unusually difficult to stop playing.

Some familiarity with poker vocabulary helps, but knowledge of real poker strategy is not required. Microsoft’s Xbox announcement covers its platform and Game Pass availability.

18. Disco Elysium – The Final Cut

Best for: writing, investigation, role-playing, and dialogue with meaningful consequences.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass in the March announcement. Commitment: Medium to long, approximately 20–40 hours.

Disco Elysium is an investigation RPG in which skills speak to you, conversations become battles of persuasion, and your choices reshape the detective you are trying to become. Its world, humor, politics, and internal monologue are unusually dense. It is arguably the best Game Pass choice for readers who value writing above combat.

Important caveat: There is little conventional combat. Expect reading, skill checks, inventory decisions, exploration, and dialogue rather than an action-oriented RPG loop. It joined the catalog alongside Resident Evil 7 in March. See the March 2026 announcement.

19. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Best for: first-person survival horror.

Platforms: Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud; confirm the catalog label. Plan: Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass in the March announcement. Commitment: Medium, roughly 10–15 hours.

Resident Evil 7 narrows the series’ focus to tense exploration, scarce resources, environmental puzzles, and close-quarters horror. The first-person perspective makes its houses and corridors feel intimate in a way that a third-person camera does not, while the campaign is short enough to finish without turning into a major RPG project.

Warnings: The game includes intense violence, disturbing imagery, and sequences that may cause motion sickness. Cloud streaming can make first-person movement less comfortable if latency is noticeable. Check Microsoft’s March catalog announcement.

20. Metaphor: ReFantazio

Best for: a long-form fantasy JRPG with turn-based combat and social-simulation elements.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Available in the April snapshot through the relevant catalog plans. Commitment: Very long, commonly a 60+ hour project.

Metaphor: ReFantazio combines party-based turn-based combat, character relationships, time management, and a politically charged fantasy setting. It is a strong pick for players who want a major JRPG without committing to an established franchise’s back catalog.

Availability warning: It was in the catalog on April 30 but was confirmed to leave on May 31, 2026. That makes it an appropriate recommendation for an April snapshot, but a poor assumption for a later “currently available” list. See its Game Pass arrival coverage and the May departure announcement.

21. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Best for: a huge turn-based RPG with minigames, character stories, and open-ended exploration.

Platforms: Xbox console, Windows PC, cloud/handheld; verify Xbox One versus Series labeling. Plan: Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass in the March announcement. Commitment: Very long, generally 50–80+ hours.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth offers a generous mixture of party-based combat, side activities, minigames, character development, and Hawaii exploration. It can be heartfelt, absurd, and mechanically busy in the same hour. Players who want one game to occupy an entire month will find plenty to do.

The story builds on earlier Yakuza/Like a Dragon games. Newcomers can follow it, but returning players will get more from its character history and emotional callbacks. See the March 2026 listing.

22. The Alters

Best for: science-fiction survival, base management, and moral choices.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud. Plan: Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass in the March announcement. Commitment: Medium, around 20–30 hours.

The Alters is best understood as a systems-heavy narrative survival game rather than a conventional action RPG. Its central idea turns identity and alternate life choices into practical management problems: who to create, how to keep a mobile base functioning, and which competing needs deserve scarce resources.

It is a particularly good Game Pass experiment because its premise is unusual and its systems are difficult to reduce to a familiar genre label. Microsoft included it in the March 2026 Game Pass wave.

23. South of Midnight

Best for: a shorter, linear action adventure with a distinctive folklore-inspired setting.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, cloud/handheld. Plan: Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass in the March announcement. Commitment: Short to medium, around 10–15 hours.

South of Midnight is a useful counterpoint to the sprawling RPGs above. It is more linear and story-focused, with action, traversal, folklore, and a setting inspired by the American South. Its concentrated length makes it a practical recommendation for someone who wants to finish a Game Pass game rather than begin another hundred-hour project.

Caveat: Players seeking a broad open world or deep buildcrafting should choose Avowed, Starfield, or Diablo IV instead.

24. Minecraft

Best for: creative building, survival, family play, and flexible cross-device sessions.

Platforms: Xbox console and Windows PC. Plan: Java and Bedrock are available through PC Game Pass or Ultimate; confirm the Xbox catalog listing and multiplayer requirements.

Minecraft is not a finite campaign recommendation. It is an ongoing platform that can be a relaxed building game, a survival adventure, a technical sandbox, or a shared family world. That flexibility is why it belongs on a list intended for a broad Xbox and PC audience.

Java versus Bedrock: PC Game Pass includes both editions. Bedrock is generally the relevant choice for playing with Xbox and other Bedrock devices, while Java has its own modding ecosystem and Java multiplayer compatibility. Editions and servers are not universally interchangeable, so check which version your friends use before starting a world. See Microsoft’s Java and Bedrock explanation.

25. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Best for: a short, atmospheric, cinematic single-player experience.

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC; verify tier and cloud labels in the catalog. Commitment: Short, around 6–10 hours.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II prioritizes atmosphere, sound design, visual presentation, and a focused journey over open-world systems or extensive replayability. It is a good choice when you want something intense that can be completed over a weekend, particularly after spending weeks in a large RPG.

Caveat: It is linear, emotionally heavy, and much shorter than most games in this ranking. It is also Series X|S-only on console. Microsoft identified it as a Game Pass-era Xbox title in its broader catalog announcement. Read the announcement.

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Best Game Pass games by player and mood

• Best overall: Hades II for a new, replayable experience; Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 if you want a conventional major adventure.
• Best huge RPG: The Outer Worlds 2, Starfield, Avowed, or Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
• Best open-world adventure: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for a focused adventure, or Starfield for a much larger sandbox.
• Best shooter: DOOM: The Dark Ages for a modern single-player campaign, or Halo: The Master Chief Collection for a broad collection of campaigns and multiplayer.
• Best racing game: Forza Horizon 5.
• Best horror: Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.
• Best co-op: Grounded for a structured four-player adventure; Sea of Thieves for social, emergent multiplayer; Diablo IV for loot and combat.
• Best strategy: Age of Empires IV, particularly on PC.
• Best short-session game: Balatro or Hades.
• Best writing: Disco Elysium – The Final Cut.
• Best family or creative game: Minecraft.
• Best JRPG: Metaphor: ReFantazio in the April snapshot, with its May 31 departure caveat.
• Best unusual concept: The Alters, Disco Elysium, or South of Midnight.

Which Game Pass plan do you need?

Do not assume that “on Game Pass” means “on every Game Pass plan.” Microsoft’s catalog separates games by plan, platform, cloud support, and Xbox Play Anywhere status. The names and prices below are the ones relevant to the April 21, 2026 U.S. update; regional prices and benefits can differ.

Plan	What it is generally for	How to read this list
PC Game Pass	Windows PC catalog, eligible day-one PC releases, and EA Play.	Use this when a recommendation is marked “PC Game Pass.” It does not automatically provide the Xbox console catalog.
Ultimate	The broadest package: Xbox console, PC, cloud gaming, online console multiplayer, EA Play, and additional benefits.	The safest single plan for recommendations marked Ultimate, especially if you use both Xbox and PC.
Premium	A larger catalog and cloud access, but not necessarily every day-one release.	Do not infer that a game in Ultimate or PC Game Pass is also in Premium unless the catalog says so.
Essential	A smaller catalog with cloud and online benefits.	It should not be treated as access to the full 25-game list.

In the U.S., Microsoft’s April 21 update set Ultimate at $22.99 per month and PC Game Pass at $13.99 per month. Microsoft also said future Call of Duty games would no longer launch day one in Game Pass, instead arriving during the following holiday season, approximately a year later. Existing Call of Duty games already in the catalog remained available under the stated plans. Read the official price and catalog update.

For PC play, Microsoft lists Windows 10/11 version 22H2 or higher and the Xbox app for PC as requirements for PC Game Pass. Check the current PC Game Pass requirements.

Xbox, PC, cloud, and Play Anywhere are not the same thing

A game can be playable on Xbox and PC without offering every connected feature. Before installing, distinguish the following:

• Local Xbox support: The game runs on your console. Check whether that means Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, or both.
• Windows PC support: The Game Pass version runs through the Xbox app and may have different file access, launcher behavior, or mod support from a Steam edition.
• Cloud support: The game can be streamed in supported regions, on supported devices, and through supported plans. Streaming is useful for sampling a large RPG before installing it, but it does not guarantee local download access.
• Xbox Play Anywhere: A licensing and cross-device feature, not a synonym for cross-play, cross-save, or cloud gaming.
• Cross-play: Xbox and PC players can play together where the game supports it.
• Cross-save: Progress can move between platforms where the game and account systems support it.

Series-only recommendations in this list include Hades II, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Oblivion Remastered, The Outer Worlds 2, Avowed, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Starfield, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Disco Elysium, The Alters, South of Midnight, and Hellblade II. Xbox One players should check for cloud access or choose broader games such as Forza Horizon 5, Hades, Diablo IV, Grounded, Minecraft, or Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

What to play first, based on the time you have

If you have…	Start with…	Reason
30 minutes	Balatro, Hades, or one mission of Halo	Each gives you a satisfying unit of progress without requiring a long setup.
One evening	Resident Evil 7, Hellblade II, or Indiana Jones	These provide focused, atmospheric single-player experiences.
A weekend	South of Midnight, DOOM: The Dark Ages, or Hades II	They offer a clear short-term goal while leaving room for replay or optional content.
A 50-hour commitment	Clair Obscur, Avowed, Metaphor, or Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth	These are substantial RPGs, so check their catalog status before beginning.
Friends online	Grounded, Sea of Thieves, Diablo IV, or Age of Empires IV	Each supports a different multiplayer mood, from structured co-op to competitive strategy.
Something endlessly replayable	Hades II, Balatro, Forza Horizon 5, Diablo IV, or Minecraft	These are better choices than a finite campaign if you want one long-term Game Pass game.

Games that left Game Pass during April 2026

The following departures explain why some familiar recommendations are deliberately absent from an April 30 list. Dates and availability can vary by region, but Microsoft’s April notices listed:

April 15 departures

• Ashen
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
• Grand Theft Auto V
• My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery
• Terra Invicta

April 30 departures

• Citizen Sleeper
• Creatures of Ava
• Endless Legend 2
• Goat Simulator
• Goat Simulator Remastered
• Hunt: Showdown 1896
• Revenge of the Savage Planet

Microsoft later corrected the April 30 notice: Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 was not leaving, while NHL 24 had been incorrectly listed as leaving. See the first April notice and the second-wave update and correction.

Game Pass normally includes the base game, not every expansion, season pass, premium edition, cosmetic bundle, or microtransaction currency. If a game is leaving, members can generally use the catalog’s discount—Microsoft advertises savings of up to 20% on eligible games and add-ons—to continue playing after removal. Check the official catalog for the current discount and availability terms.

April additions worth considering as swaps

These games were notable April additions or alternatives, but they were not automatically ranked above established recommendations without a longer availability and quality record:

• Aphelion: A day-one sci-fi adventure released April 28. A promising option for players who want something new, but its place in a quality ranking should follow verified reviews or sustained player impressions. April wave two details.
• Replaced: A day-one cyberpunk 2.5D action platformer added April 14. Consider it if you want a stylish, more compact action game. See the April wave one announcement.
• Vampire Crawlers: A card-based roguelike spin-off from the creators of Vampire Survivors, released April 21.
• The Long Dark: A slower, more demanding survival alternative, added March 30.
• The Thaumaturge: A niche narrative RPG with turn-based combat and an unusual supernatural setting.
• Far Cry 4: A dependable open-world action option, though less distinctive than the games above.

Practical Game Pass caveats before you install

Large games can be a poor subscription gamble

A 60-hour RPG is excellent value only if it remains available long enough for you to play it. Before beginning Starfield, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Metaphor, or another long game, check the leaving-soon section. Broad commitment bands in this guide are editorial estimates, not guarantees: “short” means under 10 hours, “medium” 10–30, “long” 30–60, and “very long/replayable” 60+ hours or effectively endless.

Expansions may cost extra

Forza Horizon 5, Diablo IV, Starfield, and other expansion-heavy games illustrate the distinction. The subscription may provide the base game while leaving expansion campaigns, premium editions, seasonal content, and paid cosmetic items as separate purchases. A member discount is not the same as inclusion.

PC versions may need extra accounts or launchers

Some PC Game Pass games require third-party launchers or account linking. The Xbox app version can also behave differently from Steam in mod support, file access, and launcher requirements. Large RPG downloads may require an SSD and enough free space, so cloud streaming can be useful for sampling—but only where your region, device, plan, and connection support it.

Cloud is convenient, not universally equivalent

Streaming can save installation time and lets some Xbox One owners try Series-only games. However, network quality and input latency matter in Hades II, DOOM, Silksong, and competitive multiplayer. Cloud availability is not identical to local download availability, and supported titles and devices can change.

April 2026 catalog timeline

The month included both established games and major day-one additions:

• April 14: Hades II and Replaced.
• April 16: Oblivion Remastered.
• April 17: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
• April 21: Little Rocket Lab, Sopa, and Vampire Crawlers.
• April 23: Kiln.
• April 28: Aphelion.
• April 29: Trepang2.
• April 30: Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era, Sledding Game, and TerraTech Legion.

The first and second April announcements also covered the mid-month and end-of-month departures. Wave one and wave two are the best references for that dated chronology.

How this list differs from a generic Game Pass ranking

A permanent “best games” list can recommend excellent titles that are no longer available, mix Xbox-only and PC-only games without warning, or silently assume that every reader has Ultimate. This ranking instead treats availability as part of the recommendation. It marks Series-only games, distinguishes Windows PC from Xbox console play, calls out cloud streaming, identifies lower-tier uncertainty, and excludes titles confirmed to have left by April 30.

It also does not allow every new day-one release to outrank established games automatically. Hades II is ranked first because it combines a major April arrival with a proven design foundation and broad replayability. Newer additions such as Aphelion, Replaced, and Vampire Crawlers remain sensible swaps, but their long-term position should be reassessed as reviews and player impressions develop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Xbox One owners play all 25 games?

No. Several major recommendations—including Hades II, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Oblivion Remastered, The Outer Worlds 2, Avowed, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Starfield, and Hellblade II—are Series X|S titles on console. Xbox One owners may be able to stream some through cloud gaming if their region, plan, device, and connection support them; otherwise choose games with Xbox One versions such as Forza Horizon 5, Hades, Diablo IV, Grounded, Minecraft, and Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Does Game Pass include expansions and DLC?

Usually not. Game Pass generally includes the base game. Expansions, season passes, premium editions, cosmetic bundles, and in-game currency may be separate purchases, although members can receive discounts on eligible games and add-ons.

What happens when a Game Pass game leaves?

You lose subscription access when the title leaves, unless you buy it or own another license. Members may receive a discount on eligible departing games and add-ons. Always check the leaving date before beginning a very long RPG.

Is a PC Game Pass game automatically available on Xbox?

No. PC Game Pass and the Xbox console catalog overlap but are not identical. A game can be on Windows PC without being downloadable on Xbox, or playable on both without supporting Xbox Play Anywhere, cross-save, or cross-play. Check the game’s platform and plan labels in the official catalog.

The Bottom Line

Bottom line: For the April 30, 2026 snapshot, install Hades II first unless you specifically want a different kind of game. Choose Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for a major RPG, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for adventure, Forza Horizon 5 for racing, Grounded for co-op, or Balatro for short sessions. Check the Xbox catalog immediately before installing: Game Pass changes by plan, platform, region, and date, and this page is an April 2026 historical snapshot rather than a permanent “right now” ranking.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.