Microsoft has published the provisional 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 because it often doesn’t perfectly match the departures that Microsoft announces alongside its biweekly content roadmaps. This was most recently exemplified just a few days back, with Xbox Game Pass losing two fewer titles than originally announced on July 15.
Multiple 90+ Rated Games Leaving Xbox Game Pass in Second July 2026 Departure Wave
The second wave of Xbox Game Pass removals for July 2026 is headlined by Crusader Kings 3 and Celeste, both 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 Celeste‘s 92 average rating pushes it to the 100th percentile. Widespread acclaim is about all the two games have in common, as they otherwise offer markedly different experiences in diametrically opposite genres. Their July 31 departure will therefore hit the service on two fronts, removing some of Xbox Game Pass’s highest-rated titles while also narrowing the variety of critically acclaimed games in its catalog.
All Xbox Game Pass Games Leaving July 31, 2026
|
Game |
Added |
Stint Duration |
OpenCritic Avg |
How Long To Beat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
My Friendly Neighborhood |
Jul 2025 |
1 year |
79 |
5–14 hours |
|
Back to the Dawn |
Jul 2025 |
1 year |
79 |
29–73 hours |
|
Celeste |
Aug 2023 |
2 years, 11 months |
92 |
8–39 hours |
|
Crusader Kings 3 |
Sep 2020 |
5 years, 10 months |
91 |
73–586 hours |
|
Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord |
Feb 2023 |
3 years, 5 months |
76 |
53–171 hours |
|
Rain World |
Aug 2025 |
11 months |
69 |
20–70 hours |
|
Sniper Elite: Resistance |
Jan 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 World, and Sniper Elite: Resistance. Indie RPG Back to the Dawn and survival horror game 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. Premature departure notices are fairly common, but titles being mistakenly listed for removal twice in succession are virtually unheard of. July 31 is therefore likely to be the last opportunity in 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 late July 2026 departures within days. Based on the cadence of its recent content announcements, the company will most likely confirm every removal on July 21. As usual, the Xbox team should announce the departing titles alongside the next batch of Game Pass additions, which will form the second wave of the July 2026 Xbox Game Pass lineup.
Put the consoles in the correct order.
The full lineup has yet to be announced, but it is already confirmed to include cooperative detective horror game Shift at Midnight. After several delays in recent months, the title is now scheduled for July 22. Halo: Campaign Evolved will follow on July 28. Before then, cozy co-op terraforming adventure The Planet Crafter will join Xbox Game Pass on July 21.
- Released
-
January 25, 2018
- ESRB
-
E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
-
Extremely OK Games
- Publisher(s)
-
Extremely OK Games
