Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Expands in May 2025 with ‘Tales of Kenzera: Zau’ and a Record Number of New Releases

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate continues to impress in 2025, further cementing its position as one of the most valuable gaming subscription services. In May alone, the service has added Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a critically acclaimed new metroidvania title, marking the 13th new game released this month and the 57th since the start of the year. This flurry of additions not only offers players an expansive catalog but also sets a new monthly record for Xbox Game Pass releases in 2025.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau — A Personal, Emotional Metroidvania Journey

The newest addition, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, is the debut video game from Surgent Studios, a British company founded by actor Abubakar Salim. Fans may recognize Salim as the voice of Bayek in the popular Assassin’s Creed Origins series. His influence is deeply embedded in the game’s narrative, which tells the story of Zau, a young shaman embarking on a spiritual quest to reclaim his late father’s spirit. Salim has openly shared that the game’s themes of grief and loss are inspired by his own experience losing his father, lending the story an emotional depth rare in many modern games.

Since its initial release in April 2024, Tales of Kenzera: Zau has garnered strong critical acclaim, earning a 76 average score on OpenCritic. Player feedback is equally positive, with “Very Positive” reviews on Steam and a 4.5-star rating on the Xbox Store. The game’s engaging metroidvania gameplay, combined with its heartfelt story, has resonated with a broad audience, making it a standout title in the indie gaming scene.

Availability and Subscription Details

While Tales of Kenzera: Zau is not a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass, it became available on May 22, 2025. It is exclusive to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC tiers due to its publisher, Electronic Arts. This means it is only accessible to subscribers who have the EA Play add-on — a perk included in these higher-tier subscriptions. Unfortunately, it is not available on the more affordable standard Xbox Game Pass tier.

For players, this means that Tales of Kenzera: Zau offers roughly eight hours of story-driven content, making it a perfect choice for those who like to dive deep into narrative-rich games while sampling a wide variety of titles within their subscription service.

May’s Surge in Xbox Game Pass Releases: Something for Everyone

May 2025 is shaping up to be a banner month for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Along with Tales of Kenzera: Zau, several other high-profile titles have joined or are set to join the platform:

• On May 22, Creatures of Ava, a vibrant open-world action-adventure from Inverge Studios, became available to Standard tier subscribers. This game had been exclusive to the Ultimate tier since its August 2024 release, so this move broadens access. Also joining the Standard library on this date was the highly anticipated STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, a post-apocalyptic shooter known for its atmospheric gameplay.
• Coming May 27, the popular tactical shooter Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 arrives for Ultimate, PC, and Standard tier users. Its inclusion brings one of Ubisoft’s top online multiplayer experiences to more players.
• The last days of May are packed with exciting day-one releases for Ultimate subscribers. To A T and Spray Paint Simulator both launch on May 28 and 29 respectively, bringing fresh, creative gameplay to the platform. Alongside them, Metaphor: ReFantazio, the latest JRPG from Atlus — known for its deep storytelling and engaging combat — also debuts on May 29.

Looking Ahead: June and Beyond

The release momentum doesn’t slow down after May. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has lined up several more day-one releases and new arrivals through June and beyond, including:

• Crypt Custodian and Symphonia on June 3
• The Alters on June 13
• FBC: Firebreak and Rematch in mid-to-late June
• Against the Storm, a console day-one release on June 26, which has already been available on PC since 2021
• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, launching on July 11
• Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Gears of War: Reloaded arriving in July and August respectively

This steady flow of new content ensures Xbox Game Pass remains one of the most dynamic subscription services available, catering to a wide range of gaming tastes — from casual players to hardcore fans.

Titles Leaving and What It Means for Subscribers

Xbox Game Pass will also see some games leave the service on May 31. While losing titles is always a downside for some players, this month’s overall net gain — with 17 new additions against 10 removals — is a clear win for subscribers.

These shifts are typical as licensing agreements and publisher deals evolve, but the overall trend for 2025 shows Xbox Game Pass expanding its offerings, giving players more reasons to stay subscribed.

What This Means for Xbox Game Pass’s Future

Xbox Game Pass’s aggressive content rollout strategy highlights Microsoft’s commitment to growing the service’s value. The inclusion of critically acclaimed indie games like Tales of Kenzera: Zau, alongside big-name franchises and day-one releases, reflects a balanced approach to appealing to all kinds of gamers.

For players, this means access to an ever-expanding library that offers both nostalgic hits and fresh, innovative experiences. For developers, Game Pass provides a valuable platform to reach new audiences.

As Microsoft continues to build this service, it’s clear that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is more than just a subscription — it’s becoming the future of gaming, blending convenience, variety, and quality into one package.

Source: GameRant – Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Adds 2024 Game With ‘Very Positive’ Reviews