Xbox Game Pass Bids Farewell to 5 Beloved Releases This Weekend

The Xbox Game Pass library is about to lose some beloved fan-favorites today, July 15th. Titles like the acclaimed action-adventure game Figment 2: Creed Valley, the engaging city-builder Frostpunk, the mind-bending puzzler The Talos Principle, the gritty survival sim This War of Mine, and the thrilling multiplayer shooter Hunt: Showdown will all be departing the subscription service.

For any Xbox Game Pass members who have been meaning to check out these departing releases, there’s still a window of opportunity to experience at least one of them before they leave the catalog. The clock is ticking, but dedicated players may be able to squeeze in a playthrough or two if they act quickly. These games have garnered critical praise and passionate fanbases, so their impending removal is sure to disappoint many subscribers.

However, the Xbox Game Pass library is constantly evolving, with new high-profile titles regularly joining the service. While it’s always sad to see fan-favorites depart, Xbox Game Pass continues to offer an impressive selection of games for players to discover and enjoy. For those willing to make the most of the time left, there’s still a chance to check out these soon-to-be-gone releases before they’re gone for good.

The Revolving Door of Xbox Game Pass: Fan-Favorites Depart at Alarming Rate

Over the first quarter of 2024, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass subscription service has been removing titles at an average rate of 5.3 per month. However, that rate of departures saw a noticeable spike in Q2, when the average number of monthly removals increased to a concerning 12. In fact, the biggest exodus the service has experienced so far this year was recorded in May 2024, when a whopping 14 games left the Game Pass catalog – a rare net negative for the platform that left many subscribers disappointed. Sadly, that accelerated rate of removals appears to be holding steady, with the latest wave of biweekly departures encompassing another handful of beloved titles. On July 15th, subscribers will have to bid farewell to the likes of Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus and Butterfly, the acclaimed action-adventure Figment 2: Creed Valley, the grand strategy epic Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, the post-apocalyptic city-builder The Wandering Village, and the charming photography adventure TOEM. All of these games have earned “Very Positive” or “Overwhelmingly Positive” user reviews on Steam, making their impending removal all the more disappointing for players.

While Microsoft never announces exact departure times in advance, historical precedent suggests these titles will likely vanish from the Game Pass library around the end of the day on the East Coast. For any subscribers who have been meaning to experience these soon-to-be-gone releases, the clock is ticking, and they’ll need to act fast if they hope to get in one last playthrough before these fan-favorites leave the service for good.

The reasons behind these frequent removals are not entirely clear, but industry analysts speculate it may be a combination of licensing agreements expiring, Microsoft refocusing the service’s library, and a desire to continually refresh the catalog with new and exciting offerings. Whatever the motivations, the end result is that Xbox Game Pass has developed a reputation for being a volatile platform where players’ favorite games can disappear without much warning.

This pattern of departures has led to increased criticism from some segments of the gaming community. Many feel that the service’s value proposition is undermined when beloved titles are routinely cycled out, forcing players to either rush through them or miss out entirely. There are concerns that this model prioritizes churn and new content over cultivating a stable, reliable library that players can sink their teeth into. Proponents of Game Pass counter that the service’s sheer breadth of offerings, with hundreds of titles available at any given time, still makes it an unbeatable value proposition for those with eclectic gaming tastes. They argue that the regular influx of new releases helps keep the catalog feeling fresh and dynamic. Additionally, Microsoft has touted the ability of Game Pass to act as a “discovery platform,” allowing players to try out games they may not have otherwise considered.

Ultimately, the debate around Xbox Game Pass’s approach to its library highlights the unique challenges of operating a Netflix-style service in the gaming space. While the model has undoubtedly been a boon for many players, the constant churn of titles can also be a source of frustration. As Microsoft continues to refine and evolve the Game Pass offering, finding the right balance between new content and preserving fan-favorite games will be crucial to maintaining subscriber satisfaction. In the meantime, for those Xbox Game Pass members who have been meaning to check out titles like Coffee Talk Episode 2, Figment 2, or any of the other departing releases, the clock is ticking. With July 15th fast approaching, they’ll need to make the most of the limited time remaining to experience these acclaimed games before they vanish from the service for good.

Xbox Game Pass Games Leaving July 15

In the meantime, achievement hunters with an Xbox Game Pass membership still have enough time to beat at least one of these outgoing titles and add to their Gamerscore totals. Those interested in grabbing every available trophy would be best served tackling studio Something We Made’s adventure game TOEM, which can be fully completed in roughly five to six hours, according to HowLongToBeat data relayed by the Xbox app. Bedtime Digital’s action adventure Figment 2: Creed Valley is also feasibly beatable in an afternoon, although most will find that grabbing all of its trophies is too big of a task to accomplish in just 24 hours. For players who want to savor these departing games, there’s still a window of opportunity before they disappear from the service. The clock is ticking, but there’s enough time left to dive in and experience the acclaimed narratives, compelling gameplay, and lovingly crafted worlds of titles like Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus and Butterfly, Figment 2: Creed Valley, Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, The Wandering Village, and TOEM.

While most of these departing titles were only added to Xbox Game Pass post-launch, Coffee Talk Episode 2 was a day-one release. Console users who aren’t paying for the most expensive tier of the service won’t get many more opportunities to play such games, as access to day-one titles will soon require an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. The change, which is scheduled to come into effect in September 2024, won’t impact PC Game Pass, which will continue receiving day-one releases moving forward. It’s an unfortunate reality that Xbox Game Pass has developed a reputation for frequently cycling out beloved games. This constant churn can be frustrating for players who have grown attached to certain titles. However, the service’s proponents argue that the regular influx of new content helps keep the catalog feeling fresh and dynamic, while also serving as a valuable “discovery platform” for lesser-known gems.

Ultimately, the debate around Xbox Game Pass’s approach to its library highlights the unique challenges of operating a Netflix-style service in the gaming space. While the model has undoubtedly been a boon for many players, the constant turnover of titles can be a source of disappointment. As Microsoft continues to refine and evolve the Game Pass offering, finding the right balance between new content and preserving fan-favorite games will be crucial to maintaining subscriber satisfaction. One potential solution could involve implementing a “rotation” system, where a select number of high-profile titles are guaranteed to remain on the service for a predetermined period of time. This would give players a sense of stability and assurance that they can invest their time in certain games without fear of them disappearing too soon. Additionally, Microsoft could explore expanding the Game Pass library to include more classic and backward-compatible titles, which tend to have a longer shelf life and appeal to a broader audience.

Another area of focus could be enhancing the visibility and discoverability of departing titles, perhaps by introducing a dedicated “Leaving Soon” section or by sending personalized notifications to users about games they’ve shown interest in. This would help ensure that players don’t miss out on their last chance to experience these titles before they’re removed from the service. Furthermore, Microsoft could consider offering users the option to “purchase” or “rent” certain high-profile titles that are slated for removal, similar to the model employed by cloud gaming services like Boosteroid. This would give players more flexibility and control over their gaming experiences, allowing them to choose which titles they want to invest in more deeply, even if they’re not part of the core Game Pass library.

Ultimately, the key to maintaining subscriber satisfaction lies in striking a balance between introducing new and exciting content while also respecting the emotional investment players have made in certain games. By listening to community feedback, experimenting with different approaches, and prioritizing the long-term sustainability of the service, Microsoft can navigate the challenging waters of the ever-evolving gaming landscape and ensure that Xbox Game Pass remains a valuable and reliable destination for players.