Xbox Game Pass gives players access to hundreds of titles, depending on their chosen subscription tier. As the service tries to cover most genres and interests, role-playing games are not only part of the equation but also plentiful. More importantly, the best Game Pass RPGs are also among the greatest projects in gaming history, and they are regularly joined by new Day One releases that can justify monthly subscriptions on their own.
Best Games On Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass is unquestionably worth the subscription fee, but which of the available games are the best use of your hard drive space?
With turn-based, tactics, Japanese, isometric, Soulslike, multiplayer, and action, role-playing games come in many shapes and flavors, most of which are designed to keep players busy for a very long time. Let's highlight Xbox Game Pass' greatest RPGs across a spectrum of subgenres, all the while loosely ranking them.
Updated June 19, 2025 by Mark Sammut: If you are looking for the best Game Pass RPGs, then you are spoiled for choice.
The games' average lengths were sourced from HowLongtoBeat.com. Also, the rankings are not determined solely by an Xbox Game Pass RPG's quality; for instance, new additions will be initially ranked highly to increase their visibility.
1 Metaphor: ReFantazio
The Best JRPG On Game Pass
Metaphor: ReFantazio
- Released
- October 11, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Studio Zero
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
If Atlus' name is attached to a project, quality is sure to follow. Studio Zero's Metaphor: ReFantazio sits comfortably alongside Atlus' greatest JRPGs, a statement I do not make lightly. The 2024 release tells an epic war story with themes that tie directly to current events, and they are implemented with confidence and determination.
Metaphor: ReFantazio - Every Major Dungeon, Ranked
From worms to sewers, players will explore a lot of dungeons in Metaphor: ReFantazio
The writing, in general, is fantastic, and it is backed by great combat that allows for both turn-based and real-time fights. Metaphor: ReFantazio requires quite a substantial time investment, so this is the type of game that hogs a player's life for months on end. Fortunately, it is more than good enough to justify that commitment.
2 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
One Of The Best RPGs Of 2025
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
- April 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sandfall Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
It speaks to the quality of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that the sudden arrival of Oblivion Remastered did not completely overshadow it. Taking notes from masterpieces of yesteryear that defined turn-based JRPGs, Sandfall Interactive managed to craft a project that can stand alongside its inspirations rather than exist within their shadows. In a dark fantasy world where an entity called The Paintress kills an age group every year, a group of heroes come together to try and take her out, hoping to save themselves and preserve the future in the process. The premise is not only grim, but it is also supported by strong writing willing to explore heavy themes.
7 Beginner Tips For Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Get started in this beautifully dark RPG right with some safe guidelines and helpful early-game pointers to follow in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 utilizes dynamic turn-based combat that expects players to manually dodge and parry, two actions that are based on well-timed inputs rather than RNG. This element turns each encounter into an intense back-and-forth battle that demands constant attention, and this is hardly the game’s only great mechanic. The characters are also fantastic and unique, both in terms of their characterization and gameplay contributions. I am huge fan of turn-based RPGs in general, and Clair Obscur deserves every ounce of praise flung its way.
3 Oblivion Remastered
One Of The Best RPGs Of All Time
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
- Released
- April 22, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, PC
This probably won’t come as much of a surprise, but The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a pretty good RPG. Although it has some rough edges and dated mechanics, the original game’s legacy is unshakable at this point, and the modding community has worked tirelessly to keep it relevant.
However, complete newcomers will likely just want to jump into Oblivion Remastered, a project that Bethesda announced and released on the same day. Offering a massive open-world, great visuals that compare favorably to most other Game Pass RPGs, and a few notable tweaks that create a more enjoyable package by 2025 standards, this project arguably set a new standard for remasters.
4 Mass Effect Legendary Edition
An All-Time Great Sci-Fi RPG Trilogy
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
- Released
- May 14, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Ambitious Story That Is Fairly Consistent
- While Not Amazing, Combat Is Generally Enjoyable
- Companions
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate owners have access to the full Mass Effect franchise. If they prefer, they can jump into the original Xbox 360 versions. These hold up reasonably well, particularly the sequels; however, Mass Effect Legendary Edition is, in my opinion, the best way to experience Commander Shepard's story in this day and age. The package contains remastered versions of BioWare's classic trilogy, and the compilation also includes most of the DLC.
Mass Effect: All Romances In The Franchise, Ranked
The Mass Effect series is filled with romance options. Here's a look at some of the absolute best.
Beyond a facelift, the Legendary Edition revamps the original Mass Effect game quite extensively, bringing it more in line with the content and gameplay of its sequels. These changes make the trilogy a more consistent overall experience. Each entry is fantastic in its own right, and when combined, Mass Effect makes one of the best video game trilogies of all time.
Mass Effect: Andromeda is also on Xbox Game Pass. While not as good as the trilogy, it is still decent.
5 Persona 3 Reload
Top-Notch Remake Of Atlus' Brilliant Turn-Based JRPG (With Demon Collection System)
Persona 3 Reload
- Released
- February 2, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- P-Studio
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, RPG, Life Simulation, Strategy
- How Long To Beat
- 65 hours
- Brilliant & Dark Story
- Monster-Taming System
- Turn-Based Combat Is Straightforward But Decent
- Social Sim Mechanics
Persona 5's shadow looms large over Atlus' entire franchise, and its fingerprints can be seen in Persona 3 Reload, Atlus' 2024 remake of 2006's PS2 JRPG. However, this iteration is still 100% Persona 3, retaining the original's dark atmosphere, fantastic storytelling, and Tartarus. In a series that has produced almost nothing but stellar games, P3 stands as a genuine contender for its crowning achievement, and Reload shows the classic JRPG all the respect it deserves.
Persona 3 Reload Review
Persona 3 Reload evolves the series formula in a way that sets it apart from the original, establishing a precedent that future entries must follow.
Blending dungeon-crawling with social sim aspects, P3R strikes an outstanding balance that satisfies both genres' needs in a way that ensures they complement each other. During the day, players get to live the life of a Japanese high school student, which involves attending class and hanging out with friends. These sections are the campaign's beating heart, granting depth to the characters while also weaving a powerful tale that tackles mostly mature themes.
At night, players lead a party into an intense dungeon crawling with Persona, creatures that can be added to the protagonist's arsenal. As a monster-collecting game, P3R offers a wide and impressive roster of candidates, and the game expects players to be constantly cycling through new party members by either catching Persona or using the fusion system. While the JRPG's turn-based combat is fairly traditional for the genre, P3R elevates the action through a fantastic presentation and supporting mechanics that inject an element of strategy into battles.
6 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition
Bethesda's Eternal RPG
Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Endlessly Replayable
- Immersive World That Is A Joy To Traverse
- It Is Skyrim
Skyrim has essentially ruled the open-world RPG roost since its unsubtle and highly anticipated release in 2011 — that alone should be enough to showcase its necessity for any RPG enthusiast's repertoire. While it can be safely accused of shedding the deeper mechanical complexities of its predecessors, the cold fact of the matter is that Bethesda did more than a few things right.
Skyrim preserves the franchise's legacy of beautifully designed open worlds filled with enough content to keep even the most dedicated gamers busy for years while expanding the scope of its audience exponentially. It's practically gaming's equivalent to required reading at this point, and it's not hard to see why.
Morrowind and Elder Scrolls Online are also on Xbox Game Pass.
7 Dragon Age: Origins
BioWare's Fantasy RPG Masterpiece (Best On PC, But Good On Consoles)
Dragon Age: Origins
- Released
- November 3, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- Classic RPG That Is Especially Great On PC
- BioWare's Writing Holds Up Well, As Does The Combat
- Character Backstories Justify Repeat Playthroughs
The addition of EA Play to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate brought with it plenty of great RPGs, including some of the best trilogies in gaming. Dragon Age: Origins is the definition of an epic that plenty of people, including me, consider to be among BioWare's greatest accomplishments; a grandiose adventure filled with political intrigue, narrative depth, complex combat, and unforgettable characters.
Best Games To Play If You Love Dragon Age
Dragon Age is a series beloved by gamers, but what similar games should fans of Bioware's fantasy RPG play? Witcher, Elder Scrolls & more are here.
The game is at its best on PC, but the Xbox 360 version is perfectly playable. While somewhat dated by today's standards, Origins has aged beautifully in the areas that matter the most: world-building, storytelling, and character-build variety. The sequels are also worth checking out, but Dragon Age arguably peaked with its first entry, setting a standard that few fantasy RPGs have come close to replicating.
Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition are also on Xbox Game Pass.
8
9 Crusader Kings 3
Blends Grand Strategy & RPG Elements Really Well
Crusader Kings 3
- Released
- September 1, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Interactive
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Grand Strategy
- How Long To Beat
- 70 Hours
- Expertly Blends RPG & Grand Strategy
- Character-Driven Stories
- Complex Mechanics Are Made Relatively Accessible
If strategy games can seem inapproachable to newcomers, then grand strategy titles must seem absolutely foreign. Crusader Kings 3 represents the subgenre at its best, and it is arguably Paradox's crowning achievement, a statement that is not made lightly. While needing no introduction to players fond of these sorts of games, CK3 might seem too dense for people who have yet to dip their toes in the universe of grand strategies; however, although not easy to master, the game is among the most accessible options on the market.
More importantly, CK3 is a proper RPG that follows a family tree as the members' decisions shape their kingdoms and the rest of the world. Along with fairly standard grand strategy mechanics, Paradox emphasizes each character's personality, encouraging players to properly role-play as their rulers. Unlike most other entries in this subgenre, CK3 is primarily about the individuals who mold history through their relationships, biases, flaws, and strengths.
10 Diablo (PC Game Pass)
One Of The Most Influential RPGs Ever
Diablo
- Released
- January 3, 1997
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 14 Hours
Diablo 4 owes its existence to 1997's Diablo, a game that revolutionized the action RPG and dungeon-crawler genre. Yes, 2000's Diablo 2 is generally regarded as the superior and more influential project, but the sequel's brilliance does not diminish its predecessor's ambition, success, and innovation. At the time of its release, Blizzard's game was groundbreaking, basically setting the standard for all subsequent point-and-click RPGs.
Despite its legacy and importance, Diablo can be overlooked at times, being regarded as a historical product that should be respected but not necessarily played. After all, Diablo 2 Resurrected, Diablo 3, and Diablo 4 are just far more beginner-friendly and immediately enjoyable, and their gameplay is considerably more accessible. Even the original Diablo 2 plays quite differently than the first game.
Still, Diablo is more than just part of history, and the campaign has aged well since the core gameplay loop is pretty much timeless. Players pick one of four classes (three from the base game and one from the "Hellfire" expansion, which is included in Game Pass) and head into a dungeon that has 16 levels that use procedural generation. Once there, they must kill anything that moves, collect loot from different tiers, and gradually level up to unlock better abilities. This is the basic formula that most isometric action RPGs are built upon, and Diablo nearly perfected it immediately. Sure, the combat is considerably slower-paced than in newer entries, and the character classes are not that unique, but the fundamentals are here.