Games Leaving Game Pass: July 31, 2026
Eight games are leaving Xbox Game Pass at the end of this month, and the biggest loss is Celeste, a modern classic sitting at a 94 on Xbox. You've got 12 days to play them, or 20% off if you'd rather buy and keep them. Here's what you need to know.
What's Leaving July 31, 2026
| Game | Metacritic | Time to Beat | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celeste | 88–94 | ~8 hours | Console, PC, Cloud |
| Crusader Kings III | 83–91 | 20–40+ hours per campaign | Console, PC, Cloud |
| My Friendly Neighborhood | 81–82 | ~5 hours | Console, PC, Cloud |
| Back to the Dawn | 81 | ~13 hours | Console, PC, Cloud |
| Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord | 73 | ~38.5 hours | Console, PC, Cloud |
| Sniper Elite: Resistance | 70–75 | ~7 hours | Console, PC, Cloud |
| Rain World | 66 | ~20+ hours | Console, PC, Cloud |
| Whiskerwood | No score (Early Access) | Open-ended | PC |
All titles will be removed at the end of the day on July 31, 2026. Game Pass members can purchase any of these at a 20% discount before they leave.
Don't Miss: Priority Picks
1. Celeste
This is the one to prioritize. Celeste is a precision platformer about climbing a mountain and fighting your own anxiety along the way, and it's widely considered one of the best indie games of its generation. It's a genuine modern classic leaving after a short stay, and at roughly 8 hours you can finish it easily before the deadline.
Time commitment: ~8 hours for the main story. Very doable in 12 days.
Play if you like: Hollow Knight, Super Meat Boy, Ori and the Blind Forest.
2. Crusader Kings III
If you want the most game for your remaining time, this Paradox grand-strategy heavyweight is it. You play a medieval dynasty, scheming, marrying, and murdering your way through generations, and it earned a 91 on PC. There's no ending to "beat," so treat the deadline as your cue to start a campaign now.
Time commitment: Open-ended. A single campaign runs 20–40+ hours, so you won't finish it, but you can sink deep before July 31.
Play if you like: Civilization, Total War, Europa Universalis.
3. Back to the Dawn
A standout indie RPG where you're a journalist framed and thrown in prison, and you have to break out. It landed an 81, the writing is sharp, and the ~13-hour story fits comfortably inside your 12-day window if you commit to it.
Time commitment: ~13 hours for the main story. Finishable, but don't wait until the 30th.
Play if you like: Disco Elysium, Prison Architect, choice-driven RPGs.
Quick Takes on the Rest
- My Friendly Neighborhood (81–82): A puppet-themed survival horror that's short and well-liked. At ~5 hours, it's an easy one to knock out before it's gone.
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord (73): A massive medieval sandbox and one of the headline departures by name recognition, but at ~38.5 hours you won't finish it in time. Start it only if you plan to buy it.
- Sniper Elite: Resistance (70–75): The 2025 tactical sniper entry, with a ~7-hour campaign. Solid if you want satisfying, methodical action you can wrap up quickly.
- Rain World (66): A cult-classic survival platformer with a punishing, exploration-heavy ecosystem. Divisive and demanding at 20+ hours, so only dive in if that's your thing.
- Whiskerwood (no score): A cozy, mice-themed colony builder still in Early Access, PC only. Worth a look for city-builder fans, though it's unfinished and open-ended.
FAQ: Games Leaving Game Pass
Can I still play these games after July 31, 2026?
No, not through Game Pass. Once a game leaves the catalog, it's removed from the service and you lose access. Your only options are to buy it (Game Pass members get at least 20% off before it leaves) or wait and hope it returns.
Will these games come back to Game Pass?
Possibly. Games do rotate back into the catalog sometimes, but Microsoft never guarantees it and there's no timeline. If a game matters to you, don't count on a return.
What if I'm mid-playthrough?
Your save data stays on your account. If you buy the game or it comes back to Game Pass later, you can pick up right where you left off. You just can't launch it through Game Pass in the meantime.
What's Coming to Replace Them
Microsoft adds new titles to Game Pass twice a month, and the July additions wave brings fresh games into the catalog as these leave. We're finalizing the confirmed additions list now.
- Keep an eye on our Games Added to Game Pass: July 2026 roundup for the full list of replacements once it's live.
Never Miss a Departure Again
Game Pass shuffles its catalog twice a month, and it's easy to lose a game you meant to finish. Vaulted.Games tracks your subscription library and alerts you the moment something you own or have wishlisted is scheduled to leave, so you always get a heads-up while there's still time to play or grab the discount.
[Track Your Subscription Games →]
Last updated: July 19, 2026. Source: Pure Xbox