A Major Shake-Up! Call of Duty, Little Nightmares & More Hit Game Pass (While Others Vanish)

As June draws to a close and July beckons, Xbox Game Pass is delivering a powerful punch of new experiences, including a return to iconic battlefields and a revisit to some genuinely unsettling worlds. Yet while we welcome these fresh adventures, it’s also time to bid a fond (or not-so-fond) farewell to a few titles leaving the service.

Without further ado, let’s dig into the latest updates to your Game Pass subscription for this coming week, detailing the new games landing, as well as those being removed from the service.

New Arrivals Bringing the Heat to Game Pass

We’ve got a few new games arriving in Game Pass this week – and they are pretty big hitters. Who we kidding? They are HUGE!

Call of Duty: WWII (Console and PC) – June 30th

Get ready to hit the beaches and storm the front lines as Call of Duty: WWII marches onto Game Pass.

This installment takes the series back to its historical roots, delivering a gritty and immersive campaign set during the harrowing conflicts of World War II. Experience intense boots-on-the-ground combat, witness pivotal moments of the war, and join the fight alongside a memorable cast of characters.

Beyond the gripping single-player story, dive into the always-popular multiplayer modes for competitive action or brave the terrifying Nazi Zombies.

Our review found it “most definitely a more than decent entry to the franchise. The return of boots-on-the-ground gameplay is certainly welcomed and it’s good to see Sledgehammer Games take a little risk and try out some new features. With such a strong story on offer, those who jump in would be a fool not to get involved in the linear experience, and yet again Sledgehammer Games have created another memorable and exciting battle.“

Little Nightmares II (Cloud, Console, and PC) – July 1st

Prepare to be thrilled and terrified in equal measure as Little Nightmares II creeps onto Game Pass.

This atmospheric horror-platformer plunges you back into a world of unsettling beauty and grotesque dangers. Play as Mono, a young boy trapped in a distorted reality, as he teams up with Six, the protagonist from the first game, to uncover the dark secrets of the Pale City and escape its monstrous inhabitants.

Expect clever environmental puzzles, nerve-wracking stealth segments, and a pervasive sense of dread.

Our review gave it a stellar 4.5/5, stating, “I have hugely enjoyed my time playing Little Nightmares II on Xbox. The mature themes and tense moments that made the first game so fun are present in full force, and like the first game there are plenty of secrets to be found and stories to uncover. If you want a good horror platformer, then Little Nightmares II doesn’t disappoint.“

You should download this one from the Xbox Store right now, getting ready for the launch of Little Nightmares III very soon.

Rise of the Tomb Raider (Cloud, Console, and PC) – July 1st

Lara Croft’s epic journey continues as Rise of the Tomb Raider makes its return to the Game Pass library.

In this acclaimed action-adventure, Lara ventures to the frozen wilds of Siberia and ancient lost cities in search of a legendary artifact, facing off against the ruthless organisation, Trinity.

Prepare for vast exploration, challenging puzzles, and intense combat encounters against both human foes and formidable wildlife. Hone your survival skills, upgrade your arsenal, and delve into stunningly detailed environments as you uncover ancient secrets.

As our review enthusiastically proclaimed, “none of the negatives detract from the vast exploration, stunning combat and tricky puzzles that Rise of the Tomb Raider brings all Xbox gamers. It’s a game that you’ll be playing into the wee hours, if only so you can uncover another hidden tomb and explore it for all it’s worth. Put quite simply, Rise of the Tomb Raider is an absolute masterpiece.“

Edit:

Further to the above, we now also know that three other games are coming to Game Pass this week…

• Legend of Mana, July 2 (Console) -Now with Game Pass Standard 
• Trials of Mana, July 2 (Console) – Now with Game Pass Standard 
• Ultimate Chicken Horse, July 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC) -Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard 

Bidding Farewell: Games Leaving Game Pass on June 30th

The thing is, as we welcome these new additions, it’s time to say goodbye to some familiar faces.

Be sure to jump back into these titles before they depart the service on June 30th, and remember you can use your Game Pass membership discount to save if you wish to purchase them for your permanent library.

• Arcade Paradise (Cloud, Console, and PC): Step back to the 90s and transform a laundromat into your dream arcade.
  • Our 4.5/5 review praised its depth: “The amount of depth in Arcade Paradise is the biggest surprise. What could have easily been thirty-five throwaway titles are instead fully fledged creations… It could also be the final nail in the arcade coffin, because no real-life arcade can offer this many good titles under one roof.“
• Journey to the Savage Planet (Cloud, Console, and PC): Embark on a colourful, comedic exploration of an uncharted alien world.
  • Our review called it “an amazing game – there are no two ways about it. It plays fast and fluidly… it’s been a joy to play. You still owe it to yourself to play this game. It really is that good.“
• My Friend Peppa Pig (Cloud, Console, and PC): Join Peppa Pig in a kid-friendly adventure.
  • Our 2.5/5 review noted its brevity and control limitations: “My Friend Peppa Pig lasts about as long as a bag of Percy Pigs, but costs about twenty times as much… when a six-year old… complains… then we tend to listen.“
• Robin Hood: Sherwood Builders (Cloud, Console, and PC): Attempt to build a rebel hideout and fight injustice in this action-adventure RPG.
  • Our 2.5/5 review found it “fails on both counts. The building isn’t fun or intuitive, and the combat is imprecise… There is a good game buried deep inside… but the layers of nonsense over the top do a pretty good job of smothering it.“
• SteamWorld Dig (Cloud and Console): Dig your way through a charming underground world as a robotic miner.
  • Our review highlighted its addictiveness: “Full of beautiful visuals, and stunning but humorous portrayals of the Wild West, you’ll find yourself digging through one of the most random but full-on addictive of games.“
• SteamWorld Dig 2 (Console and PC): The highly-rated sequel to the mining adventure.
  • Our review enthusiastically stated, “I’ve got very little but good to speak of… I loved SteamWorld Dig, have managed to find myself loving SteamWorld Dig 2 just as much… you’ll find a wonderful Metroidvania themed experience that is well worth taking in.“

This week’s Game Pass update truly underlines the service’s dynamic nature, constantly bringing in new experiences while rotating others.

Whether you’re marching into historical battles, braving a creepy platformer, or re-exploring ancient tombs, there’s a fresh challenge waiting.

But remember, don’t miss your chance to dive into the new arrivals and give those departing titles one last playthrough…