Microsoft’s acquisition of studios like Bethesda, inXile, Obsidian, and Playground makes it a (potential) powerhouse for exclusive RPGs.
Add licensed titles from Paradox, Blizzard, and Atlus, and Game Pass becomes an attractive option for any RPG gamer.
Our list includes hack-n-slash games, grand strategy/RPG hybrids, JRPGs, retro-inspired 2D titles, and good old-fashioned Western RPGs.
Let’s check them out.
Crusader Kings 3
Crusader Kings 3 is a Grand Strategy/RPG hybrid from Paradox. Sure, it can be intimidatingly complex, but it offers an experience you won’t get anywhere else.
Many games give you control over a kingdom’s military and political affairs. There are also plenty of games that make you feel emotionally invested in the lives of their characters, settings, and societies.
Crusader Kings 3 does both. Its major success is its fusion of the personal and political, creating dramatic, emergent stories of honour, betrayal, and feuding dynasties.
Pros:
- Excellent writing
- Emergent alt-history narratives
- Infinitely replayable
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Too complex for some
Tales of Arise
Many JRPG fans have a special place in their hearts for the Tales series. Like previous instalments, Tales of Arise tackles heavy issues like racism, slavery, and the horrors of war.
Thankfully, the watercolour aesthetic, excellent voice acting, and unique combat distract from the heavy themes. The underlying story concerns a tragic fight against the odds, but there are also light moments and intense action.
Tales’ combat has typically felt like an action RPG with the complexity and nuance of a turn-based game. Tales of Arise is another step towards perfecting this fusion.
Battles occur in circular arena-style spaces where players must switch between party members, dodge attacks, and land combo moves. It feels like a fusion of classic Tales gameplay and the action from titles like Devil May Cry.
Pros:
- Fun combat
- Quality voice acting
- Mercifully short for a JRPG (approx 40 hours)
Cons:
- Bombastic score rarely lets up
- Bosses can feel like damage sponges
Diablo IV
Like a chump, I bought Diablo IV on release. After the main quest, I can entertain the criticism that it “isn’t great for a Diablo game”. (Diablo III wasn’t exactly an instant classic, either…)
However, now that it’s hit Game Pass, Diablo IV is well worth a playthrough—especially if you have a few friends to party up with.
While it doesn’t do anything to break the mould, Diablo IV is a competent hack-n-slash action RPG. Complaints about the underwhelming loot are valid—a significant issue in an ARPG.
Still, there’s decent gameplay, good visuals, and an OK story. Despite the review-bombing (and valid criticism of developer Blizzard Entertainment), Diablo IV is a worthy adventure.
Pros:
- Decent gameplay
- Quality graphics and sound
- OK story
Cons:
- Uninspiring loot
- Weak character progression
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Sea of Stars
Sea of Stars took the award for Indie Game of the Year at 2023’s Game Awards. Despite lively debate around what exactly constitutes an “indie” title, most agreed Sea of Stars was an instant classic.
Inspired by 90’s SNES classics like Chrono Trigger and Secret of Mana, Sea of Stars takes you on a dreamy seafaring adventure. Its simple premise of two teenagers setting off to destroy a local bad guy twists and turns in ways you won’t expect—seriously.
Sea of Stars writing isn’t perfect. But unlike many similar games, it doesn’t outstay its welcome. At about 30 hours long, there’s enough charm and variety to keep you engaged.
The turn-based battles in Sea of Stars are spiced up with real-time additions. Enemy attacks are telegraphed, and the right attack at the right time can break their concentration. These twitchy additions to combat mean things don’t feel sluggish.
Pros:
- Stunning art and animation
- Good score
- Engaging battle system
Cons:
- Inconsistent writing and pace
Fallout 4
Many of us greeted Fallout 4’s initial release with a resounding “meh”. However, after the release of titles like Fallout 76 and Starfield, Fallout 4 is starting to look like vintage Bethesda.
That’s not to say there aren’t problems. The dialogue system stills sucks, the story feels tacked on, and there are plenty of bugs. But there’s no denying that post-apocalyptic Boston is fun to explore.
With mods, players can fix most bugs, improve the visuals, tweak the combat, and add entirely new NPCs and areas. (Just don’t install the official update if you want to play modded.)
Like everyone else, I was inspired to reinstall Fallout IV after watching Amazon’s TV adaptation. I can conclusively state that the game scratches the itch the show created. It’s still a gloriously compelling mess—just like real life.
Pros:
- Fun open world
- So many mods
- Feels like the Fallout TV show
Cons:
- Buggy
- Weak dialogue system
- I don’t care what happens to Shaun…
