A Glimmer of Hope Arrives: One New Game Joins Game Pass

The Game Pass landscape is set to welcome a unique and intriguing addition this week, offering a fresh experience for subscribers across Xbox and PC.

Bucking the trend of multiple arrivals in recent weeks, all eyes are on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a title promising a compelling blend of turn-based strategy and real-time action, landing on the service on April 24th.  

Head Off On A New Expedition

Developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 paints a grim yet captivating picture. In a world haunted by the enigmatic Paintress, whose annual cursed number erases people by age, the clock is ticking for Expedition 33.

With the dreaded number “33” looming, Gustave, Maelle, and their companions embark on a desperate and final mission: to destroy the Paintress and break her deadly cycle.

What sets Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 apart is its innovative approach to turn-based combat. While the strategic core remains, the introduction of real-time mechanics promises to inject a new level of immersion and intensity into battles. Players will need to master active dodging, parrying, and countering in real time, adding a layer of skill and reflex to traditional turn-based encounters.

Crafting unique builds for your Expeditioners through gear, stats, skills, and character synergies will be crucial, alongside exploiting enemy weak points with a free-aim system.

Beyond the revolutionary combat, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 promises a hauntingly beautiful world inspired by Belle Époque France. Players will traverse breathtaking landscapes, from the eerie Island of Visages to the war-torn Forgotten Battlefield, uncovering secrets and encountering surreal adversaries.

Along the way, forging alliances with legendary creatures and recruiting special companions will unlock new ways to explore this enchanting yet dangerous realm.  

With its ground-breaking combat system, compelling narrative of hope against despair, and stunning visuals brought to life by Unreal Engine 5, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is shaping up to be a standout addition to the Game Pass library.

Prepare to join Expedition 33 on their desperate quest when the game arrives on Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S (through the Xbox Store), April 24th. We’re very excited for this one, so much so that it found a place in our Best Games of April article.

What’s Next for Game Pass?

Looking ahead, the Game Pass train keeps rolling with more exciting additions on the horizon.

The week of April 28th will see the arrival of the intriguing Game Preview title Towerborne on April 29th, alongside the classic open-world adventure of Far Cry 4 on April 30th. Strategy fans can look forward to diving into the complex city-building of Anno 1800 on May 1st, while the blockbuster action of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II also joins the service on the same day.

However, as new games arrive, others must make way. April 30th will mark the departure of several titles, including EA Sports NHL 23, the unique exploration of Have a Nice Death, the chilling mystery of Kona II Brume, the sharpshooting action of Sniper Elite 5, the narrative puzzle of The Last Case of Benedict Fox, the stylish combat of Thirsty Suitors, and the time-bending puzzles of The Rewinder.

Be sure to check them out before they leave! We’ll, of course, remind you as the new additions drop in, or disappear from view.