Xbox Game Pass isn’t slowing down as July gathers pace. Fresh from the arrival of Winds of Arcana: Ruination, subscribers are now being treated to a healthy mix of fresh adventures, remastered classics and one hugely anticipated full release this week.
Whether you’re revisiting Sera with Marcus Fenix, diving into the full version of Palworld, or trying something entirely new with Tamashika, there’s another varied week waiting across cloud, Xbox Series X|S, handheld and PC.
It’s another reminder that Game Pass continues to balance blockbuster names with smaller discoveries – and this week’s lineup does exactly that.
At A Glance
- Winds of Arcana: Ruination – Available Now – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass – Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC
- Gears of War: Reloaded – July 9th – Now with Game Pass Premium, joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
- Tamashika – July 9th – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC
- Palworld 1.0 (Full Release) – July 10th – Cloud, Console, PC
From Fantasy Worlds To The Frontlines Of Sera
The week actually began yesterday with the arrival of Winds of Arcana: Ruination, bringing a colourful Metroidvania adventure to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass across cloud, console, handheld and PC.
Blending melee combat with powerful spellcasting, the game encourages players to explore a handcrafted interconnected world, uncover legendary weapons and ancient Soul Crests, and steadily unlock new movement abilities that open previously inaccessible areas. Fans of exploration-heavy action games should find plenty to enjoy here.
The biggest headline, however, belongs to Gears of War: Reloaded.
Although it has already been available through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, July 9th sees the definitive remaster expand to Game Pass Premium, giving another group of subscribers the opportunity to experience the game that started one of Xbox’s flagship franchises.
Featuring rebuilt visuals powered by Unreal Engine, all previously released post-launch content, refined controls and full cross-play and cross-progression support, this is the most complete version of the original Gears of War yet.
Our 4.5/5 review summed it up perfectly: “And so the question remains – is there such a thing as too much Gears? I don’t think so, and that is proven with the release of Gears of War: Reloaded; a game that is as good as ever, slightly better looking than before, and now absolutely chock full of content.“
New Experiences Join The Line-Up
Alongside Marcus Fenix comes something altogether different.
Tamashika lands on July 9th across cloud, Xbox Series X|S, handheld and PC, delivering a minimalist but stylish corridor shooter built around speed, rhythm and precision. Armed with little more than a pistol and a tanto blade, players must survive increasingly intense encounters by maintaining focus and reacting quickly as environments constantly shift around them.
Then, on July 10th, Palworld finally reaches its long-awaited 1.0 full release.
After a hugely successful Game Preview period, the open-world survival phenomenon graduates to a complete release, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in its unique blend of creature collecting, crafting, automation and multiplayer exploration. Whether you’re breeding Pals, constructing enormous factories or simply exploring its sprawling world with friends, the full launch marks a major milestone for one of the biggest breakout hits of recent years. If you haven’t yet played it, let us help you through the early moments with some Palworld tips and tricks.
What’s Next For Game Pass?
There’s no shortage of games waiting in the wings either. Over the coming weeks, subscribers can look forward to Ascend to Zero, PBA Pro Bowling 2026, Quarantine Zone: The Last Check, Mavrix by Matt Jones, FixForce, Fogpiercer, The Planet Crafter and the welcome return of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. As always, we’ll bring you the full breakdown as each week progresses.
