Microsoft has published the preliminary list of seven Xbox Game Pass titles scheduled to leave the service on July 31. Two of them rank in the top 1% of the highest-rated games on the platform, making their near-future departure a notable setback for the Xbox Game Pass catalog's overall critical profile.
The latest list of XGP library removals comes from the “Leaving Soon” section of the Xbox app, which was updated on July 19. This source should be treated as preliminary as it often does not fully match the departures Microsoft announces along with its bi-weekly content roadmaps. This was most recently exemplified just a few days ago, with Xbox Game Pass losing two fewer titles than originally announced on July 15th.
Several 90+ rated games are leaving Xbox Game Pass in the second July 2026 Departure Wave
The second wave of Xbox Game Pass removals for July 2026 is headlined by Crusader Kings 3 and Celesteboth of which have average OpenCritic scores in the 90s. Crusader Kings 3 ranks in the 99th percentile of all titles in the aggregator's database, while CelesteThe average score of 92 pushes it into the 100th percentile. Widespread acclaim is about all the two games have in common, as they otherwise offer markedly different experiences in diametrically opposed genres. Their departure on July 31 will therefore hit the service on two fronts, removing some of Xbox Game Pass' highest-rated titles while reducing the range of critically acclaimed games in its catalog.
All Xbox Game Pass games will expire on July 31, 2026
|
Game |
Added |
Stint Duration |
OpenCritic Avg |
How long to beat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
My friendly neighborhood |
July 2025 |
1 year |
79 |
5–14 hours |
|
Back to the dawn |
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 |
The remaining five titles leaving Microsoft's subscription service on July 31 are My friendly neighborhood, Back to the dawn, Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord, Rain worldand Sniper Elite: Resistance. Indie RPG Back to the dawn and survival horror games My friendly neighborhood were previously listed as departing Xbox Game Pass on July 15 before quietly disappearing from the Xbox app's “Leaving Soon” section. Early retirement notices are fairly common, but titles being accidentally listed for removal twice in a row are virtually unheard of. July 31 is therefore likely to be the last opportunity for a while for Xbox Game Pass users to play My friendly neighborhood and Back to the dawn as part of their subscriptions.
Microsoft should finalize the list of departures by the end of July 2026 within days. Based on the pace of its recent content announcements, the company will most likely confirm each removal on July 21st. As usual, the Xbox team should announce the departing titles alongside the next batch of Game Pass add-ons, which will make up the second wave of the Xbox Game Pass lineup for July 2026.
Place the brackets in the correct order.
Start
The full lineup has yet to be announced, but it has already been confirmed that it will include the co-op horror game Shift at Midnight. After several delays in recent months, the title is now scheduled for July 22nd. Halo: Campaign Evolved will follow on July 28. Before that, cozy co-op terraforming adventure The Planet Crafter joins Xbox Game Pass on July 21st.
- Released
-
25 January 2018
- ESRB
-
E10+ for all 10+ due to alcohol reference, fantasy violence, mild language
- Developer
-
Extremely OK game
- Publisher
-
Extremely OK game
