Microsoft continues to set up the Xbox Game Pass for success. This July, the on-demand gaming subscription service is set to welcome another set of new games, including big titles that are going to be available for free to Xbox Game Pass subscribers at launch.
At this point, a few games have already been added to the Xbox Game Pass library, but more are still coming. So, if you’re wondering how the game pass experience works, make sure to get your Xbox Game Pass subscriptions now.
What is The Xbox Game Pass?
The Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s video game subscription service. It is not the same as Xbox Live Gold, which gives subscribers free games to download and play while enabling online play in most games. Rather, the Xbox Game Pass is more of a Netflix-type of service. It lets users stream and download games from its library.
Throughout 2021, Microsoft has increased the value of the Xbox Game Pass multiple times. These days, Xbox Game Pass doesn’t just have games that have already been released before. Some games are starting to become available on the Xbox Game Pass at launch.
The first among them was Outriders, which was released back on April 1, 2021. Since then, games like MLB The Show 21, among others, have followed suit.
The Xbox Game Pass is available for $9.99 a month with a $14.99 premium subscription upgrade known as the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate that bundles Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Game Pass, Game Pass for PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and EA Play, among other freebies, under one subscription.
Games Leaving the Xbox Game Pass in July 2021
Similar to Netflix and other video streaming subscription services, Xbox Game Pass constantly rotates games in and out of its library.
While it’s unfortunate that some games have to leave the Xbox Game Pass, it’s just how it goes.
Here are the games that have been confirmed to be leaving Xbox Game Pass this July 2021:
- EA Sports UFC
- EA Sports UFC 2
- CrossCode
- Downwell
- Endless Space 2: Deluxe Edition
EA Sports UFC and EA Sports UFC 2 leaving Xbox Game Pass doesn’t sting as much considering that they’re outdated and old. EA Sports UFC 3 is also available on the Xbox Game Pass while EA Sports UFC 4 will be added soon (more on that later).
It is a shame that Downwell and Crosscode have to leave Xbox Game Pass though. Both are underrated indie titles that deserve more credit than each one received at the time of their respective launches. Croscode, in particular, is a video game about someone who logs into a video game in a unique twist on the popular Isekai anime genre.
Endless Space 2: Deluxe Edition is also another good game that is leaving Xbox Game Pass soon. The 4X space opera title has you managing an intergalactic empire, complete with drama and politics.
Games Coming to the Xbox Game Pass in July 2021
We’re only a few days into the month of July and the Xbox Game Pass has already welcomed its fair share of big names. The best part? It’s not yet done. Microsoft just secured even more games for the Xbox Game Pass for the rest of July. Some of them are brand new games that are going to be available for free for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
Here are some of the best games that are coming to the Xbox Game Pass in July 2021:
- Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts – Cloud (July 1)
- Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling – Cloud, Console, and PC (July 1)
- Gang Beasts – Cloud, Console, and PC (July 1)
- Immortal Realms: Vampire Wars – Cloud, Console, and PC (July 1)
- Limbo – Cloud, Console, and PC (July 1)
- Space Jam: A New Legacy – Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (July 1)
- A Plague Tale: Innocence (Next-Gen) – Cloud, Console, and PC (July 6)
- Microsoft Flight Simulator – Cloud, Console, and PC (July 27)
- The Ascent – Cloud, Console, and PC (July 29)
One of the more underrated games to release in recent memory, Space Jam: A New Legacy is a video game tie-in to the movie of the same name. The movie isn’t set to premiere until July 16, but you can play the game already right now. Instead of being a AAA production nor a basketball game like its namesake, Space Jam: A New Legacy plays like an old-school beat’ em up game.
Speaking of underrated games, A Plague Tale: Innocence was released in 2019 and received critical acclaim. Although it was also a commercial success, it’s not usually mentioned when talking about the best games released in 2019 let alone this generation.
A Plague Tale: Innocence will be coming to the Xbox Game Pass with next-gen enhancements like 4K resolution and up to 60 FPS gameplay.
Speaking of improvements, Microsoft Flight Simulator is finally coming to the Xbox Series S/X on July 27. On the same day, it will also be available on the Xbox Game Pass. Although the game is notorious for being hardware intensive, recent efforts from its developers have made the in-game engine more effective at using available resources.
According to Microsoft, the teaser trailer for Microsoft Flight Simulator that was revealed at E3 2021 had the game running at 4K resolution on the Xbox Series X.
Finally, The Ascent is another Xbox-exclusive title. Because the Xbox Game Pass version is going to take advantage of the Xbox Series X servers, the game will run at up to 4K resolution at 60 FPS with co-op cross-play between the Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, and Windows 10 versions.
What’s Next for The Xbox Game Pass?
The Xbox Game Pass is the best video game subscription service available right now. It will take a herculean effort from Sony to make PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now just as good.
On top of the games that we have listed above, Microsoft confirmed at E3 2021 that the Xbox Game Pass is going to welcome a host of popular games to its library over the course of 2021 and 2022. This includes the likes of Forza Horizon 5, Back 4 Blood, Age of Empires 4, and Halo Infinite, among others.
With dozens of new games already confirmed for the Xbox Game Pass through 2022 and more
I am a junior content outreach writer for OffGamers. I foster relationships between gaming enthusiasts and gaming developers to create relevant content for gamers worldwide. I also happen to be a passionate writer and a certified night owl.
