Kingdom Come & Final Fantasy III Join Xbox Game Pass | March 2026 Updates

Xbox Game Pass subscribers have two new, critically acclaimed role-playing games to explore starting today, March 3rd: Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster. Both titles are available across the Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass tiers, bolstering the service’s already robust library and setting the stage for Microsoft’s expected Wave 1 lineup reveal for March 2026. This addition comes as Game Pass continues a strong start to the year, adding a significant number of titles and outpacing last year’s growth.

A Medieval Epic and a Classic Reimagined

The two games represent distinct approaches to the RPG genre. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, developed by Warhorse Studios, builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, offering a historically grounded, open-world experience set in 15th-century Bohemia. The original Kingdom Come: Deliverance garnered praise for its realism and immersive world, and the sequel appears to be continuing that trend. Currently, the game boasts an average score of 89 on OpenCritic and a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, based on feedback from over 60,000 users . This indicates a high level of player satisfaction and critical acclaim.

In contrast, Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster, from Square Enix, revisits a cornerstone of the JRPG genre. This remaster brings updated visuals and quality-of-life improvements to the classic turn-based combat and storytelling that defined the original release. While drawing from a smaller user base for reviews, it also holds a “Very Positive” rating on Steam and an average score of 82 on OpenCritic. The Pixel Remaster series aims to present these classic titles to a modern audience while preserving their core appeal.

Game Pass Momentum in 2026

Microsoft’s commitment to expanding the Game Pass library is evident in the service’s performance so far in 2026. With the addition of these two RPGs, Game Pass has added a total of 40 titles since the beginning of the year . Notably, the service has experienced a net gain in games in both January and February, even accounting for titles that have been removed from the catalog. This suggests a proactive strategy of continually refreshing the content available to subscribers.

The steady release of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series is a particularly interesting trend. Following the January and February releases of Final Fantasy I and Final Fantasy II respectively, the arrival of Final Fantasy III suggests that Square Enix may continue to release the remaining titles in the series on a monthly cadence. This would provide Game Pass subscribers with a consistent stream of classic JRPG content.

Beyond RPGs: A Growing Catalog

While these additions cater specifically to RPG fans, Xbox Game Pass continues to diversify its offerings. Microsoft is expected to announce the full March lineup soon, with Planet of Lana 2 already confirmed as a day-one launch later this week. Recent additions have also included titles like The Sims 1 and The Sims 2, demonstrating a willingness to incorporate a wide range of genres and experiences.

The inclusion of these titles highlights the value proposition of Xbox Game Pass, offering subscribers access to a diverse library of games for a monthly fee. The service has become a key component of Microsoft’s gaming strategy, attracting new players to the Xbox ecosystem and providing a compelling reason to stay engaged.

The OpenCritic Scoring System: A Deeper Look

OpenCritic aggregates reviews from a wide range of publications, assigning an average score to each game. This provides a useful metric for assessing critical reception, but it’s key to understand the methodology. The score is a simple average, meaning that all reviews are weighted equally. OpenCritic’s methodology also includes a “Top Critic” weighting option, which gives more weight to reviews from publications deemed to be more influential. However, the standard average score remains the most commonly cited metric.

What’s Next for Xbox Game Pass?

Microsoft’s regular Game Pass lineup announcements are a key event for subscribers. The upcoming reveal of the Wave 1 lineup for March 2026 will provide further insight into the service’s future direction. Beyond the immediate additions, the continued rollout of the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series and the potential for further partnerships with developers like Warhorse Studios suggest a continued focus on expanding the library with high-quality titles. The success of Game Pass will likely depend on Microsoft’s ability to maintain this momentum and continue to offer a compelling value proposition to its subscribers.