Tunic (Xbox Series X|S)

We'd been highly anticipating the arrival of cute isometric action-RPG Tunic for ages prior to its surprise arrival on Xbox and Game Pass in March of 2022, and it's safe to say it didn't disappoint. Based on a poll we did here at Pure Xbox, it was the second best Game Pass addition of the month, only losing out to Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy.

We also had very positive things to say in our review of Tunic here at Pure Xbox, calling it "one of the very best games we've played so far in 2022," and praising it as "an almost immaculately realised thing, a fascinating and fantastic adventure." Xbox Game Pass is known for its excellent indie games, and this is very much an example of an indie title you should download on the service without even thinking twice. What a great surprise this was!

Subscribe to Pure Xbox on YouTube22k
Watch on YouTube
  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Undertale (Xbox One)

We're pretty sure there aren't many players out there by now who haven't at least heard of Toby Fox's sublime Undertale.

A wonderfully well written and surprisingly subversive take on retro RPGs, it may assume a certain level of prior experience with the genre but, even without this, Undertale is still a constantly surprising and devilishly clever good time. This is a game that toys with genre expectations and conventions, mocks and twists gameplay tropes, deviates from the norm, serves up delightfully difficult puzzles, a cast of wonderfully weird characters and an unexpectedly weighty story. Oh, and the soundtrack absolutely rocks. If you've yet to try it out, get onto Game Pass and treat yo'self!

  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Wasteland 3 (Xbox One)

inXile Entertainment's 2020 RPG is a wonderfully old-school Fallout-style affair that sucks you fully into its world via top-notch writing and voice acting, solid turn based combat and a Colorado setting that's absolutely dripping in tiny little details.

Wasteland 3 a razor-sharp satire set in a post-apocalyptic America that kicks off with a brutal bang and gets evermore deranged from there. The turn-based combat here is satisfyingly brutal stuff, dialogue is superbly dark and genuinely funny too, and the various sprawling settlements you explore are amazing little hubs stuffed to the gills with top-notch world building and populated by the wretched remnants of humanity. There's lots of depth in skills and character creation, giving you tons of choice in how you customise and kit out your rangers, and inXile has done a fantastic job in constantly adding to and improving their game over time, resulting in one of the very best old-school RPGs currently available.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Weird West (Xbox Series X|S)

We really should have anticipated that Weird West would be an excellent addition to Xbox's lineup of RPGs, considering it was advertised as "an immersive sim from the co-creators of Dishonored and Prey."

That's exactly what it turned out to be, with us giving it an "Excellent" 9/10 score in our review here at Pure Xbox, calling it "a slick and addictive action-RPG that delivers a top-notch narrative alongside some delightfully chaotic combat in a world that absolutely oozes atmosphere." Again, this is a game that released on Xbox Game Pass at launch, so if you're a subscriber to the service and you're interested in this one, it's a no-brainer!

  • Xbox Game Pass? No

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (Xbox Series X|S)

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty was one of the highlights of the March 2023 Xbox Game Pass lineup, arriving day one on the service. The game is an action RPG from the masterminds at Team NINJA, although be aware that it's not an easy game - if you enjoy the likes of Elden Ring and Dark Souls, we think you're going to love this.

In fact, we even called the game "Team NINJA's finest soulslike experience to date and a must-play for action fans" in our Pure Xbox review, granting it a "Great" 8/10 rating in the process. Here's a bit more of what we said:

"Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a solid soulslike experience that serves up top-notch combat in a hugely atmospheric setting which incorporates real-life historical events, Chinese mythology and dark fantasy elements."

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Xbox Series X|S)

Yakuza: Like a Dragon, deviates from the original series by introducing some kick-ass turn-based combat into proceedings, replacing the franchise's traditional arcade street-slugging with something a little more complex and, in our opinion, engaging.

It's a unique Yakuza title that infuses its JRPG combat and systems into a contemporary modern day setting. Exploring the streets of Japan has never felt more immersive and the emotional story resonates, right up to its heart-wrenching conclusion. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is one of the very best in the series and a perfect entry point for newcomers who have been put off by the long list of previous titles in the franchise.

  • Xbox Game Pass? Yes

What other Xbox Series X, Series S and Xbox One RPGs would you add to this list? Tell us down below.