May 3rd 2025.
Over the weekend, like many others, I found myself fully immersed in the thrilling world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. As I chatted with a friend who exclusively plays on his PlayStation 5, I couldn't help but reflect on the incredible value and experience I've been getting from Xbox Game Pass.
I am fortunate enough to own all the main gaming systems, but Game Pass Ultimate has truly become my go-to subscription service. I've learned to let my Ultimate membership expire, then stock up on Game Pass Core, and finally convert back to Ultimate, allowing me to enjoy a full year of gaming for only £70. It's a deal that's just too good to pass up.
In fact, I haven't even turned on my PlayStation 5 in almost a year, ever since I finished playing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. There simply hasn't been any exclusive games on the PS5 that have caught my attention or felt worth the investment.
Instead, I've been able to enjoy a diverse range of games on Xbox and PC, with the majority being found on Game Pass. Last summer, it was Diablo 4 on Xbox and PC, followed by Dragon's Dogma 2 on PC during a Steam sale. As we headed into late autumn, I was able to play Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on Game Pass, both on Xbox and PC. And during the holiday season, I added Dragon Age: The Veilguard on Steam, followed by Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, Commandos Origins, and most recently Expedition 33, all available through Game Pass. I've even dabbled in some VR with titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator 25, F1 23, Manor Lords, and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black – all included in my Game Pass subscription.
And the best part? I've only paid that initial £70 for an entire year of gaming. Sure, I don't technically own these games and I can't trade them in, but I also wouldn't have had the chance to play so many different titles if I had solely relied on purchasing them individually. It's like comparing the cost of going to a football match or a theatre show, which can easily exceed £70 for just a few hours of entertainment.
My friend, on the other hand, has expressed disappointment in his decision to go with the PlayStation 5 this generation. He feels that he's not getting as much value for his money, especially when he sees all the games I've been able to play through Game Pass, including the latest Commandos and Expedition 33. He's even considering making the switch to "team green" for the next generation, in hopes that Game Pass will continue to offer a wide selection of great games. He briefly tried out PS Plus, but found that there weren't many games on there that he wanted to play, so he let the subscription expire.
I also have to mention just how amazing Expedition 33 has been so far. The aesthetics, soundtrack, and gameplay are all top-notch. It's what Final Fantasy 16 should have been and it proves that turn-based games can still be relevant in the modern era without feeling outdated. Some of the user reviews on Metacritic are quite comical, such as one person giving it a 0/10 because the camera view isn't perfectly centered on the character. But don't be fooled, this game is far from being a failure. Some people have even criticized the use of quick-time events (QTEs) in the game, but unlike other games where they can feel out of place, the QTEs in Expedition 33 actually make sense. It might take a few tries to get the hang of it, but once you do, the gameplay becomes even more engaging.
As someone who isn't naturally skilled at parrying in games, I've been pleasantly surprised by how much the game encourages this mechanic and how it has motivated me to improve. My advice to others: don't knock it until you've tried it. And if you really can't get the hang of it, you can always switch to story mode and focus on enjoying the game's narrative. I, for one, can't wait to dive back into Expedition 33 tonight.
It's clear to me that Xbox Game Pass has truly revolutionized the way I experience and enjoy gaming. It offers an incredible value and has allowed me to play a wide variety of games that I may not have had the chance to try otherwise. And while my friend may be regretting his decision to go with the PlayStation 5, I am more than satisfied with my decision to stick with Xbox and Game Pass.
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