Xbox Game Pass new games September 2021: What’s coming, leaving soon

Xbox Game Pass is the ever-expanding Netflix-like gaming subscription from Microsoft, the makers of Xbox. For a monthly subscription, Xbox Game Pass partakers gain access to a constantly rotating catalog of hundreds of high-quality Xbox games. The best Xbox Game Pass games include third-party multiplayer games, older AAA titles, indie projects, all first-party Microsoft games, and pretty much everything in between.

Xbox Game Pass is also included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, an all-in-one subscription that gives players full access to Xbox Game Pass on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One consoles, Xbox Game Pass on PC, Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Cloud Gaming (Project xCloud), and even EA Play. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate represents one of the best values in gaming, and that value only increases from month to month.

That’s because Xbox Game Pass is always adding new games, with announcements once or twice a month. While games occasionally leave the service, the number of games available through Xbox Game Pass has been steadily growing since its launch. In this Xbox Game Pass guide, we’ll go over all the new games coming to the service, the games about to leave, and the top games you should be keeping an eye on.

If you want the complete list, be sure to bookmark our ultimate guide to every game on Xbox Game Pass.

Note: Bold text indicates the game in question is coming to that platform, but is already available on other platforms through Xbox Game Pass.

You’ll rarely go wrong with the diverse selection of games on Xbox Game Pass, but there are always a handful of titles that stand above the rest — including but not limited to exceptional indie games, addictive multiplayer games, expansive AAA games, and Microsoft’s first-party games. These are the best new games that have recently arrived on Xbox Game Pass.

Sable

• Available: Sept. 23 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)

Another fantastic indie addition to Xbox Game Pass, Sable is an open-world journey about self-discovery that features unique and beautiful visuals and a frankly terrific soundtrack. There are some technical issues to work around when playing Sable, but that doesn’t stop it from being an endearing adventure and well worth your time.

Aragami 2

• Available: Sept. 17 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)

Aragami 2 is the sequel to a well-loved stealth adventure, and it ups the ante with a bigger adventure and tons of more fast-paced stealth-based gameplay. Some mission repetition and low-quality animations only slightly detract from is one of the best “ninja adventures” you can play. Being able to slink through the shadows with up to two additional friends is another great reason to download Aragami 2.

The Artful Escape

• Available: Sept. 9 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)

Another wildly unique indie game, The Artful Escape weaves a tale of self-actualization through gorgeous landscapes, captivating music, and simple gameplay that anyone can get into. The Artful Escape is a short adventure, but it’s a powerful one, meaning there’s no excuse not to download it through Xbox Game Pass (or even play it on the cloud).

Xbox Game Pass new games: Full list and schedule

It can be easy to lose track of all the new games coming to Xbox Game Pass, so we’ve compiled the full list for your convenience. In this section of our Xbox Game Pass guide, learn what games have been released on Xbox Game Pass recently, when they became available, and what platforms on which they’re available.

Sept. 28

• Dandy Ace (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)
• Lemnis Gate (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, & PC)

Sept. 23

• Lost Words: Beyond the Page (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)
• Sable (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)
• Subnautica: Below Zero (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)
• Tainted Grail: Conquest (PC)

Sept. 17

• Aragami 2 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)

Sept. 16

• I Am Fish (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)
• SkateBIRD (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)
• Superliminal (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)

Sept. 15

• Flynn: Son of Crimson (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)

What’s coming to Xbox Game Pass soon

Microsoft loves to give Xbox Game Pass subscribers plenty of time to prepare for upcoming additions by announcing them early. This section of our Xbox Game Pass will help you keep track of all the games coming to Xbox Game Pass shortly, so you can decide what you want to play and whether you need to free up some space.

Sept. 30

• Astria Ascending (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & PC)
• Marvel’s Avengers (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)
• Unsighted (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & PC)

Oct. 1

• Phoenix Point (Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One)

Nov. 9

• Football Manager 2022 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)

What’s leaving Xbox Game Pass soon

For the most part, more games join Xbox Game Pass than leave. However, most games do leave the service eventually, so Microsoft likes to give players a heads up if they hadn’t gotten around to playing that game yet. Keep an eye on this section of our Xbox Game Pass guide for games you still want to play. If you see a game you’ve played and loved, be sure to purchase it with your Xbox Game Pass discount so you can keep it forever.

Sept. 30

• Drake Hollow (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC & Xbox Cloud Gaming)
• Ikenfell (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC & Xbox Cloud Gaming)
• Kathy Rain (PC)
• Night in the Woods (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC & Xbox Cloud Gaming)
• Warhammer: Vermintide 2 (Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One)

Upcoming games launching on Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft gives us updates on games heading to Xbox Game Pass a few weeks before those games become available, usually twice a month. However, Xbox and ID@Xbox events toss aside this expectation to announce a flurry of games that are hitting Xbox Game Pass day and date, meaning they’re launching into the service when they land on Xbox platforms. That means day one access to all of these games for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, including some of the best upcoming Xbox games.

Many of these games are far enough out that they don’t even have a release date, and we’re not certain exactly which platforms they’ll come to through Xbox Game Pass. Still, this list in our Xbox Game Pass guide will give you an idea of what to look out for in the future of Xbox Game Pass. We’ll constantly update this list as we get new information about release dates, when games become available, and what platforms are getting them.

The following events have been added to this section:

ID@Xbox Games Showcase — March 26, 2021

• Astria Ascending (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — 2021
• Among Us (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, & PC) — 2021
• Backbone (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — Unknown release date
• Dead Static Drive (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & PC) — Unknown release date
• Edge of Eternity (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — 2021
• Hello Neighbor 2 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — 2021
• Little Witch in the Woods (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — Unknown release date
• Moonglow Bay (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC) — Oct. 7, 2021
• Nobody Saves the World (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — 2021
• She Dreams Elsewhere (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & PC) — Unknown release date
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — April 28, 2022
• Undungeon (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC) — Unknown release date
• Way to the Woods (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — Unknown release date

Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase at E3 2021 — June 13, 2021

• Starfield (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — Nov. 11, 2022
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — April 28, 2022
• Back 4 Blood (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & Xbox One) — Oct. 12, 2022
• Contraband (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — No release date
• Party Animals (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — 2022
• Somerville (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — 2022
• Halo Infinite (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — Dec. 8, 2021
• A Plague Tale: Requiem (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — 2022
• Slime Rancher 2 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — 2022
• Shredders (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — December 2021
• Atomic Heart (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — No release date
• Replaced (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, & PC) — 2022
• Among Us (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, & PC) — 2021
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — 2022
• Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — 2023
• Age of Empires IV (PC) — Oct. 28, 2021
• The Outer Worlds 2 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — No release date
• Forza Horizon 5 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — Nov. 9, 2021
• Redfall (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — Summer 2022
• Scorn (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — Fall 2021
• The Anacrusis (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — Fall 2021
• Hello Neighbor 2 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — 2021
• The Gunk (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — December 2021

ID@Xbox Games Showcase — Aug. 10, 2021

• Evil Genius 2: World Domination (Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One) — Winter 2021
• Pupparazzi (Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One) — No release date
• Stardew Valley (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & PC) — Fall 2021

Xbox Gamescom 2021 event — Aug. 28, 2021

• Age of Empires IV (PC) — Oct. 28, 2021
• Archvale (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — No release date
• Bushiden (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — No release date
• Chinatown Detective Agency (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — No release date
• Crusader Kings 3 (Xbox Series X|S & PC) — No release date
• Forza Horizon 5 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — Nov. 9, 2021
• Into the Pit (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & PC) — Oct. 19, 2021
• Midnight Fight Express (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — No release date
• Next Space Rebels (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — No release date
• Signalis (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — No release date
• The Gunk (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & PC) — December 2021
• Unpacking (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — No release date
• Unsighted (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — No release date

Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks upcoming games

• Halo Infinite (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — Dec. 8, 2021
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — Unknown release date
• Avowed (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — Unknown release date
• State of Decay 3 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — Unknown release date
• Fable (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — Unknown release date
• Everwild (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — Unknown release date
• Forza Motorsport (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — Unknown release date
• Perfect Dark (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — Unknown release date
• Forza Horizon 5 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, PC, & Xbox Cloud Gaming) — Nov. 9, 2021
• Starfield (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — Nov. 11, 2022
• Contraband (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — No release date
• Age of Empires IV (PC) — Oct. 28, 2021
• The Outer Worlds 2 (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — No release date
• Redfall (Xbox Series X|S Optimized & PC) — Summer 2022

Xbox Game Pass adds new games all the time, but there’s already a vast selection of high-quality titles available for gamers to play. Check out our list of best games on Xbox Game Pass for some fantastic ideas on what you should play next. You can also pick up one of the best external SSDs for Xbox Series X|S to ensure you always have enough storage for all these games.