Xbox Game Pass is at high risk of losing one of its best games next month

Based on previous Xbox Game Pass trends, the service may lose Metaphor: ReFantazio during the next month. The removal would see Xbox Game Pass lose one of its most beloved titles, although the popular subscription service still has a lot to offer fans.

Xbox Game Pass' ever-evolving collection of titles includes some of the best games available to play today, with critical darlings such as Disco Elysium and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt adorns the platform. More niche titles, like the fan favorite Power Wash Simulator 2 and the uniquely satisfying Hardspace: Shipbreakerhas expanded its reach through the platform and gained a level of marketing that may not have been available through pure sales alone. The service continues to add releases from day one as they become available, with other titles becoming unavailable over time.

Metaphor: ReFantazio, the critically acclaimed RPG from developer Atlus, may be removed from Xbox Game Pass within the next month, based on past trends. The title was first added to Xbox's subscription service on May 29, 2025, and May 2026 marks one year since its inclusion. Traditionally, titles are removed within a year of their inclusion on Game Pass, although the rule of thumb has had some notable exceptions. Metaphor: ReFantazio has not been officially confirmed for removal, but the trend has proven correct on several occasions, with other critically acclaimed games suddenly leaving Xbox Game Pass in the past.

Atlus released Metaphor: ReFantazio in October 2024 to rave reviews and a slew of Game of the Year nominations. The standalone RPG takes elements from other popular Atlus RPGs, such as Persona and Shin Megami Tensei, and embeds them in a unique new medieval fantasy setting, with a compelling original story centered around an assassination attempt on the game's royal family. Players take on the role of Will, a young orphan who must travel across the UK of Euchronia in an attempt to help the kingdom's prince, Will's childhood friend. The deep RPG systems and expansive plot make it so Metaphor: ReFantazio one of Xbox Game Pass' most content-rich titles.

While gamers will want to hurry if they want to play one of 2024's most acclaimed titles before it leaves Xbox's subscription service, there are plenty of other great games coming to Game Pass in the near future. The selection of titles, from classics to recent releases, is still expansive, giving players plenty to choose from if they need to fill the void left after a particular title is removed. This list includes a variety of first-party titles from Microsoft-owned studios, meaning these games often remain available forever.

In addition to a wide selection of games in general, Atlus fans have many options to fill the RPG void Metaphor: ReFantazio would be removed. Loved Atlus RPG Persona 4 Golden still included in the service at the time of writing, and games that Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 doubles as a must-play RPG currently available through Game Pass. With that said, Metaphor: ReFantazio stands as one of the genre's more unique entries, and fans should make a point to experience this instant classic while they can.

Released

11 October 2024

ESRB

T For Teen // Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Developer

Studio Zero

Source: Pure Xbox