With the festive season now upon us, and with any luck many gamers will get a few days if not a few weeks to enjoy a good ol’ gaming binge, Microsoft has shared which titles will be added to their Xbox Game Pass line-up for all subscribers in the first half of December 2023. From some AAA mammoths to some clever and creative smaller-scale games, scroll down to see if any of the games being rolled out between now and 14 December are on your Christmas to-play list:
Available Now
Remnant: From the Ashes (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Making a return to the Game Pass library, Remnant: From the Ashes is a third-person survival action shooter set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by monstrous creatures. As one of the last remnants of humanity, you’ll set out alone or alongside up to two other survivors to face down hordes of deadly enemies and epic bosses and try to retake what was lost.
Remnant II (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S)
Sequel to the best-selling game Remnant: From the Ashes that pits survivors of humanity against new deadly creatures and god-like bosses across terrifying worlds. Play solo or co-op with two other friends to explore the depths of the unknown to stop an evil from destroying reality itself.
Spirit of the North (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Awaken the Spirit of the North and start your journey. Set out on a beautiful and meaningful adventure across landscapes inspired by those in Iceland. Discover a land left in ruin as you’re guided across mountains by the Guardian of the Northern Lights, solving environmental puzzles to uncover what happened to the ancient civilization that once lived there.
SteamWorld Build (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Available on day one with Game Pass: Break ground on a new frontier as the planet dies around you! Dig deep and build wide to excavate long-lost spacefaring technology, while ensuring everyone has the vital water, fuel and creature comforts they need! Do you have what it takes to reach the final frontier?
Available Next Week
Clone Drone in the Danger Zone (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – December 5
A robot voxel slice ‘em up where any part of your body can be sliced off. With your mind downloaded into a robot gladiator, you must survive the sinister trials of the arena. Fight up to 15 players in Last Bot Standing, team up for online co-op, or face down the robot emperor in story mode!
Rise of the Tomb Raider (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 5
Returning to the Game Pass library on December 5! Featuring epic, high-octane action moments set in the most beautifully hostile environments on earth, Rise of the Tomb Raider delivers a cinematic survival action adventure where you will join Lara Croft on her first tomb raiding expedition.
While the Iron’s Hot (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 5
Available on day one with Game Pass: Step into the boots of a journeyman blacksmith on a quest to become a master and restore a ruined village along the way. This crafty adventure game sends players to the mysterious isle of Ellian, where the world’s finest artisans dwell. While you might forge a few weapons on your journey, this isn’t the kind of game where you wield them – the island’s troubles can all be solved with your wits and crafting moxie.
World War Z: Aftermath (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 5
A heart-pounding, co-op third-person shooter for up to four players featuring swarms of zombies. Based on the Paramount Pictures film, World War Z focuses on fast-paced gameplay while exploring new storylines from around the world.
Chivalry 2 – December 6 (Game Pass Core)
A multiplayer, first-person slasher inspired by epic medieval movie battles. You’ll be thrust into the action of every iconic moment of the era — from clashing swords to storms of flaming arrows, to sprawling castle sieges and more. Charge into battle on horseback and claim glory with your blade!
Totally Reliable Delivery Service – December 6 (Game Pass Core)
Buckle up your back brace and fire up the delivery truck — it’s time to deliver! Join up to three friends and haphazardly get the job done in an interactive sandbox world. Endure cruel ragdoll physics, pilot your favorite vehicle, and complete the tasks at hand to the best of your ability to attempt your deliveries.
Goat Simulator 3 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – December 7
Pilgor’s baaack! Gather your herd and venture forth into Goat Simulator 3, an all-new, totally realistic, sandbox farmyard experience that puts you back in the hooves of no one’s favorite female protagonist.
Against the Storm (PC) – December 8
A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization’s last survivors.
Available Later in the Month
Tin Hearts (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 12
Embark on Lemmings-like puzzles to relive the emotional and heartbreaking story of a genius inventor, Albert Butterworth. Spanning across four distinctive acts with 50+ puzzles masterfully woven throughout a grand Victorian home, steadily uncover a variety of whimsical inventions with unique abilities to provide a safe route of passage for a troop of tin soldiers to travel.
Far Cry 6 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 14
Welcome to Yara, a tropical paradise frozen in time. As the dictator of Yara, Antón Castillo is intent on restoring his nation to its former glory by any means necessary, with his son, Diego, following in his bloody footsteps. Their oppressive rule has ignited a revolution. Play as Dani Rojas, a local Yaran, as you fight alongside a modern-day guerrilla revolution to liberate Yara in this open-world first person action-adventure.
Leaving Xbox Game Pass on 15 December
Unfortunately, not even the Christmas season can prevent games from needing to leave the service this month. Four games are confirmed to be leaving the Xbox Game Pass starting 15 December:
- Chained Echoes (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Opus Magnum (PC)
- Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Rubber Bandits (Cloud, Console, and PC)
