Microsoft has released a tentative list of seven people Xbox Game Pass The titles are scheduled to leave service on July 31. Two of them rank in the top 1% of the highest-rated games on the platform, making their near-future departures a significant blow to the overall critical profile of the Xbox Game Pass catalog.
The latest list of XGP library removals comes from the “Soon to be removed” section of the Xbox app, which was updated on July 19. This source should be considered preliminary because it often doesn't exactly match the departures that Microsoft announces with its bi-weekly content roadmaps. This was most recently exemplified a few days ago when Xbox Game Pass lost two fewer titles than originally announced on July 15.
Many 90+ rated games leaving Xbox Game Pass in the second July 2026 departure wave
July 2026 is headlined by the second wave of Xbox Game Pass removals Crusader Kings 3 and CelesteBoth have average OpenCritic scores in the 90s. Crusader Kings 3 ranks in the 99th percentile of all titles in the aggregator's database, while CelesteAn average rating of 92 pushes it into the 100th percentile. Widespread praise is all about the similarities between the two games, as they offer markedly different experiences in otherwise contrasting genres. Their July 31 departure will hit the service on two fronts, removing some of the highest-rated titles from Xbox Game Pass and also shrinking the diversity of critically acclaimed games in its catalog.
All Xbox Game Pass games are leaving July 31, 2026
|
the game |
added |
Term of office |
OpenCritic average |
How long to beat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
My friendly neighborhood |
July 2025 |
1 year |
79 |
5-14 hours |
|
Return in the morning |
July 2025 |
1 year |
79 |
29-73 hours |
|
Celeste |
August 2023 |
2 years, 11 months |
92 |
8-39 hours |
|
Crusader Kings 3 |
September 2020 |
5 years, 10 months |
91 |
73–586 hours |
|
Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord |
February 2023 |
3 years 5 months |
76 |
53–171 hours |
|
rain world |
August 2025 |
11 months |
69 |
20-70 hours |
|
Sniper Elite: Resistance |
January 2025 |
1 year 6 months |
73 |
9-27 hours |
There are five titles left to leave Microsoft's subscription service on July 31 My friendly neighborhood, Return in the morning, Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord, rain worldand Sniper Elite: Resistance. Indie RPG Return in the morning and survival horror game My friendly neighborhood It was listed as a departing Xbox Game Pass on July 15 before quietly disappearing from the “leaving soon” section of the Xbox app. Premature departure notices are fairly common, but titles have been mistakenly listed for removal twice in succession. So July 31st is likely to be the last chance for Xbox Game Pass users to play for a while My friendly neighborhood and Return in the morning As part of their membership.
Microsoft should finalize the list of final departures for July 2026 within days. Based on the pace of its recent content announcements, the company will confirm each removal on July 21. As usual, the Xbox team should announce the departure titles along with the next batch of Game Pass additions, which will form the second wave of the July 2026 Xbox Game Pass lineup.
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The full lineup has yet to be announced, but it's already confirmed to include the midnight co-op spy horror game Shift. After several delays in recent months, the title is now scheduled for July 22. Halo: Campaign Evolved will follow on July 28. Before that, cozy co-op terraforming adventure The Planet Crafter Will join Xbox Game Pass on July 21st.
- issued
-
January 25, 2018
- ESRB
-
E10+ for everyone 10+ due to alcohol references, fantasy violence, mild language
- developer(s)
-
Very good games
- Publisher(s)
-
Very good games
