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During the Xbox and Bethesda E3 Showcase, Microsoft announced the next wave of games coming to Xbox Game Pass–of which there are many. Overall, 27 of the 30 games shown throughout the stream will be launching on Game Pass day one. While a few of the announced games don’t launch until 2022, Yakuza: Like A Dragon is available right now for Game Pass subscribers on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Those arriving in 2022 include A Plague Tale: Requiem, the sequel to the 2019 rat-infested stealth game; Avalanche Studio’s Contraband; and Redfall, a new Xbox console exclusive from Deathloop developer Arkane.
Before this, however, there are a number of titles coming to Game Pass throughout the rest of 2021. You can see the full list below.
Games Launching on Game Pass Day One in 2021
June 13
Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Yakuza: Like A Dragon is the most recent entry in the long-running Yakuza series. Unlike its predecessors–which are action games–Like A Dragon is an RPG with turn-based battles. Its recent inclusion on Game Pass means that all the mainline Yakuza games are now available on Game Pass, so you have no excuse not to play this amazing series.
June 15
Among Us
The massively popular Among Us is finally coming to Xbox platforms. To coincide with the release, the game will be expanding lobby room sizes, allowing up to 15 players to join at a time. This should make for a valuable feature given that the game is likely to pick up more players with its inclusion on Game Pass.
June 22
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is an upcoming spiritual successor to the fan-favorite Baldur’s Gate RPG series. Technically, we’ve known that it’ll be coming to Game Pass for quite some time, but it’s nice to have a reminder.
July 27
Microsoft Flight Simulator (Xbox Series X|S)
After a period of PC exclusivity, Microsoft Flight Simulator is now coming to Xbox Series X|S, and it’ll be on Game Pass too. Alongside the announcement was confirmation of a free Top Gun: Maverick tie-in expansion. Aside from that, you’re free to explore the skies to your heart’s content with an assortment of different kinds of aircraft when it comes to the service at the end of July.
July 29
The Ascent
The Ascent has been teased for quite some time, first debuting during an early Xbox Series X|S presentation last year. This cyberpunk-themed isometric multiplayer action-RPG is finally arriving at the end of July, and it’ll also be on Game Pass.
August 13
Hades
After only being available on Switch and PC since last September, Hades is finally releasing on other major platforms, including Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. The critically-acclaimed roguelite has been turning heads for a while now, so it’s a pleasant surprise to see it show up on Game Pass.
August 19
12 Minutes
We’ve had our eyes on 12 Minutes for a while now, and it still looks incredibly promising. This top-down thriller puzzler tasks you with working through a time loop to figure out why a stranger keeps invading its protagonist’s home to kill him and his wife. The game features big-name voice actors Daisy Ridley, James McAvoy, and Willem Dafoe.
August 25
Psychonauts 2
Psychonauts 2 has been delayed several times now, but it’s finally got a release date in August. The long-awaited platformer from developer Double Fine continues where its cult-favorite predecessor left off, putting you back into the shoes of young psychic Raz. Alongside a release date, we also got to see a new trailer for the upcoming game.
September 17
Aragami 2
Aragami 2 is somewhat of a spiritual successor to the Tenchu series, a long-gone ninja-themed stealth-action franchise. You once again control a magical assassin capable of instantly blending into shadows and manipulating enemies in various ways from afar. While the original was primarily a single-player experience, you can now play the upcoming game with friends and work to dispatch samurai guards as a team. An extensive new look at the game was provided during Guerilla Collective’s E3 2021 showcase.
September 23
Sable
Sable is an upcoming adventure game with a visually distinct animation and art style. It was confirmed to release in September during Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest stream, but it was known to be an Xbox exclusive for quite some time. If you’ve not checked out how this game looks, then check out this trailer as soon as possible.
October 12
Back 4 Blood
If you were a big fan of Left 4 Dead, then Back 4 Blood is likely the game for you. Developed by Turtle Rock Studios–formerly Valve South–the game is a cooperative multiplayer that mostly adheres to the fast-paced zombie-killing action of the Left 4 Dead series. When it was first announced, the game was received with much fanfare, but to know that it’s also coming to Game Pass is another thing entirely.
October 28
Age of Empire IV
Age of Empire IV is the latest in the long-running RTS franchise. During the Xbox & Bethesda press conference, the new trailer confirmed two new factions available to players at launch, the French and the Abbasid Dynasty. A new campaign, The 100 Years War, was also unveiled and will star Joan of Arc as she leads the French against English forces in the famous conflict.
November 9
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is a bit of a surprise, as we usually get a mainline Forza game before a new Horizon. But the times have changed, and we have a new Forza Horizon set in Mexico. The upcoming sequel is shaping up to have the most diverse setting yet, as the Mexican landscape will span deserts, jungles, ruins, beaches, canyons, and even a snow-capped volcano.
Fall 2021
The Anacrusis
The Anacrusis is a sci-fi cooperative first-person shooter from developer Stray Bombay Company, led by Left 4 Dead and Portal 2 writer Chet Faliszek. Its debut trailer displayed a sense of wit reminiscent of the quippy dynamic of the Left 4 Dead crew.
Scorn
Scorn is a first-person horror game with an art style that closely resembles the style of renowned Swiss artist H.R. Giger (Alien), meaning it’s quite nasty-looking, and you should avoid probably this if you’re squeamish. That said, if that sounds like a great time to you, then you’ll be happy to hear that Scorn is coming to Game Pass sometime this Fall.
December
Shredders
If you’re a huge fan of snowboarding games, you’ll be happy to know that Shredders is your next chance to shred the gnar. Announced at Microsoft and Bethesda’s joint showcase conference, the game will include plenty of slopes to jump off and actual professional snowboarders to play as. Developer Foam Punch cites the classic Xbox snowboarding series Amped as a major influence on Shredders, so that’s a solid sign for those intrigued by the prospect of a new game in the genre.
TBA 2021
Hello Neighbor 2
Hello Neighbor 2 once again throws you into an uncomfortable stealth horror experience where you must avoid a mysterious creature stalking your every step. Much like its predecessor, the pursuer you’re up against is an advanced, self-learning AI that tracks and adapts to your every move, making for a terrifying cat-and-mouse game.
The Gunk
The Gunk is the latest game from developer Image & Form, best known for its work on the Steamworld series. The upcoming game is an action-platformer set on a mysterious forgotten planet consumed by its titular gunk. You play as an adventure with a large robotic arm that can suck up black goo around the world and reform the landscape around them.
Holiday 2021
Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite just might be the biggest game coming to Xbox Series X|S, which makes it somewhat of a bold move for Microsoft to bring it on Game Pass from the start. This latest entry in the iconic first-person shooter series was feature prominently during the recent Xbox & Bethesda press conference, with plenty of new details revealed about its story and multiplayer.
If you’re interested in learning more about Game Pass, check out the best games available with Xbox Game Pass right now.
E3 2021 News & Announcements
Nintendo Switch OLED Announced, Coming October 8 E3 2021: Schedule, Participants, And What To Expect Xbox & Bethesda E3 Showcase Announcements: Starfield, Halo Infinite, Diablo 2 + Show More E3 2021 News & Announcements Links (4) Nintendo Direct E3 2021 Announcements: Breath Of The Wild 2, Metroid Dread, Advance Wars E3 2021 Games Confirmed So Far Ubisoft Forward E3 2021 Announcements: Far Cry 6, Mario + Rabbids 2, Avatar Square Enix E3 2021 Stream Announcements: Guardians Of The Galaxy, Final Fantasy Origin, Babylon's Fall
