Xbox Game Pass subscribers are in for a treat this April and early May, with a stellar lineup of games including the return of Grand Theft Auto V, the highly anticipated Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. As noted in a post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass April 2025 Wave 2 announcement showcases a diverse selection spanning major franchises, indie darlings, and day one releases, providing something for every type of gamer across various Game Pass tiers.
Grand Theft Auto V Returns to Xbox Game Pass Today
The blockbuster Grand Theft Auto V makes its return to Xbox Game Pass starting today, April 15, 2025. This means subscribers across all Game Pass tiers (Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard) can once again experience both the single-player campaign and Grand Theft Auto Online on their platform of choice.
The game is available across cloud, console, and PC, with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers gaining access to a “newly enhanced version” on PC. This timing coincides perfectly for players looking to jump back into Los Santos or experience it for the first time before the much-anticipated GTA VI launches.
Day One Releases: Innovative New Experiences
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (April 24th)
One of the most anticipated Game Pass day one releases this month is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, launching on April 24th for Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Developed by Sandfall Interactive in Montpellier, France, this ground-breaking turn-based RPG features unique real-time combat mechanics set in a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France.
The game has been generating substantial hype since its reveal at last year’s Xbox Games Showcase. Players will embark on a desperate mission against the mysterious Paintress, who each year paints a number on a monolith causing everyone of that age to turn to smoke and fade away. With the number “33” about to be painted, your expedition sets out to break this deadly cycle.
The combat system has been praised for blending traditional turn-based RPG elements with real-time mechanics like dodging, parrying, and countering, allowing players to craft unique builds for their characters through gear, stats, and skills. As Guillaume Broche, CEO & Creative Director at Sandfall Interactive explained, “We didn’t want the game to just be a pretty face… every character has their own playstyle and you can really play them in a lot of different ways.”
Towerborne (Game Preview – April 29th)
Another exciting day one release coming to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass is Towerborne, entering Game Preview on April 29 for Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S. In this action game, players take on the role of an Ace, a warrior born from the spirit realm tasked with protecting the Belfry—a sanctuary standing amid the ruins of humanity and the City of Numbers.
With spirit companions fighting by your side, you’ll venture out to battle monsters that lurk outside the Belfry’s walls. The game promises intense action and a unique fantasy setting where players must demonstrate grit and determination to safeguard what remains of civilization.
Major Franchises Join the Lineup
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (May 1st)
In a significant addition to the service, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II will join Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on May 1 for Cloud, Console, and PC. This represents another milestone in Microsoft’s integration of Activision Blizzard properties into the Game Pass ecosystem following its acquisition.
Players will experience a globe-trotting single-player campaign featuring the iconic Operators of Task Force 141, immersive multiplayer combat, and an evolved Special Ops mode featuring tactical co-op gameplay. This addition continues to bolster the value proposition of Game Pass subscriptions, particularly at the Ultimate tier.
Far Cry 4 (April 30th)
Ubisoft’s Far Cry 4 joins the service on April 30 for Cloud, Console, and PC across Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard tiers. Players will step into the role of Ajay Ghale, traveling to Kyrat to fulfill a promise while being drawn into a civil war against the oppressive regime of dictator Pagan Min.
The open-world adventure offers exploration across vast landscapes where danger and unpredictability lurk around every corner, delivering the franchise’s signature blend of action, exploration, and storytelling.
Variety for All Types of Gamers
The latest Game Pass update ensures diversity across genres, with several other notable titles coming to the service:
- Neon White (Console – April 16th): A lightning-fast first-person action game about exterminating demons in Heaven, now available with Game Pass Standard.
- SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game (Cloud, Console, and PC – April 16th): An open-world adventure where players control Patrick Star in Bikini Bottom, available across Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard.
- Crime Scene Cleaner (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S – April 17th): A game where players work as a cleaner for the mob, available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
- Tempopo (Cloud, Console, and PC – April 17th): A day one release about helping the Tempopo stay on beat to solve musical puzzles, available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
- Anno 1800 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S – May 1st): A city-building strategy game set during the Industrial Age, coming to Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard.
- Dredge (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S – May 6th): A single-player fishing adventure with sinister undertones, where players explore a mysterious archipelago, coming to Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard.
Games Leaving the Service
As new games arrive, several titles will be departing the service on April 30, 2025. Subscribers should make sure to finish up these games before they leave:
- Have a Nice Death (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Kona II Brume (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Sniper Elite 5 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- The Last Case of Benedict Fox (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Thirsty Suitors (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- The Rewinder (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Game Pass members can save up to 20% on purchasing these games if they wish to keep them in their library after they leave the service.
A Strong Month for Game Pass
April 2025 represents another strong month for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, with Microsoft delivering a mix of blockbuster franchises, anticipated new releases, and diverse indie experiences. At the beginning of the month and rounding out the month with the addition of Grand Theft Auto V today, followed by the day one releases of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Towerborne later this month, and capped off with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II in early May, demonstrates Microsoft’s continued commitment to making Game Pass an essential service for gamers.
With the Xbox Games Showcase coming on June 8, as mentioned in the announcement, subscribers can likely look forward to even more exciting Game Pass news in the coming months. Stay tuned to MSFTNewsNow.com for continued coverage of all things Xbox and Game Pass.
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