Microsoft’s been on a roll with Game Pass lately, but this latest drop caught my eye because it’s that rare mix of big JRPG hype, indie quirk, and metroidvania overload. After the DOOM: The Dark Ages blitz, I was honestly expecting a quieter end to May. Instead, Game Pass is doubling down, bringing in Metaphor: ReFantazio, the latest from Atlus, alongside a glut of genre gems and a little heartbreak with some key departures. Here’s why this update is more than just the usual content churn.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Microsoft / Atlus / Various |
| Release Date | May 22-29, 2025 (wave release) |
| Genres | RPG, Metroidvania, Action, Simulation |
| Platforms | Xbox Series, PC, Cloud |
The headline is clear: Metaphor: ReFantazio, possibly the most anticipated JRPG of 2024, is coming to Game Pass at launch on May 29th. Atlus has a reputation for dense, stylish RPGs that eat up your free time (looking at you, Persona 5 Royal). For Game Pass, this is a massive win—a kind of game you’d expect to pay full price for day one, now folded into your subscription. It’s a flex, and it signals Microsoft’s intent to stay competitive for RPG fans who might otherwise stick to PlayStation or Switch.
But what really stands out is the genre spread. You’re getting a triple hit of metroidvanias—Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, Crypt Custodian, and the French indie Symphonia. It’s not every month you see so many indie platformers stack up at once, and it feels like Microsoft is throwing the gauntlet in the indie space. I’m especially curious about Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, which had a rocky launch but seems to have found its footing post-patches. The inclusion of Crypt Custodian and Symphonia is a boon for anyone who still can’t get enough of the Hollow Knight formula.
Don’t sleep on to a T, either. The fact that the Katamari team’s latest is a day one Game Pass drop is wild. Their games are the definition of “not for everyone,” but for those of us who love a bit of weirdness in our libraries, it’s a treat. I’ll admit I’m always a little suspicious of “quirky” indies being sold as must-plays, but if anyone can deliver, it’s this team.
It’s not all good news—five games are cycling out, including Remnant 2, Cassette Beasts, and Humanity. That’s the Game Pass double-edged sword: new blood in, old favorites out. If you’ve put off finishing these, the clock’s ticking.
What’s the takeaway? Game Pass isn’t just padding the numbers here. This update feels curated—massive JRPG, bold indies, a buffet for metroidvania fans. For gamers who like discovering gems (or just hate paying full price for every big release), this month’s drop is legitimately exciting. That said, the high turnover rate means you can’t sleep on your backlog. In the arms race of subscription services, Microsoft’s making sure Game Pass stays essential for anyone who actually plays the games they subscribe to—not just collects them for later.
Metaphor: ReFantazio day one. A trio of fresh metroidvanias. Katamari creators’ latest oddball. Game Pass isn’t coasting—this is a real value play for anyone tired of subscription bloat and hungry for actual hits. Just don’t procrastinate on those soon-to-be-gone favorites.
Source: Microsoft via GamesPress