Xbox Game Pass is Losing 2 of Its Best Games on December 15

Two of the highest-rated Xbox Game Pass games are leaving the service on Sunday, December 15. Xbox Game Pass games are removed on a monthly basis. One batch of games is given the axe in the middle of the month, while the second batch of games is removed on the last day of the month.

Typically, Microsoft lists the games leaving Xbox Game Pass in two separate announcements, but it has shaken things up with the December 2024 departures, likely due to the holiday season. Thanks to this announcement, we know that Xbox Game Pass is losing 13 games in December 2024, with two of the biggest ones leaving on December 15.

Sadly for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, the last day to play critically-acclaimed games Rise of the Tomb Raider and Forza Horizon 4 is Sunday, December 15. Forza Horizon 4 and Rise of the Tomb Raider are two of the highest-rated Xbox Game Pass games, and so it's devastating to see them removed from the service. Forza Horizon 4 has a 92 overall rating, while Rise of the Tomb Raider's average critic score has left it with an impressive 86 overall rating. The games are both available at heavy discounts for those that want to buy and keep them for their digital libraries, so anyone interested will need to act fast. This is especially important for Forza Horizon 4, as it's not just getting removed from Game Pass - it's getting completely delisted.

Forza Horizon 4 is being delisted due to expiring licenses, which will make one of the best Xbox console exclusives completely unavailable to anyone interested in buying it digitally. The good news is that physical copies of Forza Horizon 4 exist, and the servers are staying on for anyone that wants to enjoy the game's comprehensive online multiplayer features.

Rise of the Tomb Raider and Forza Horizon 4 leaving Xbox Game Pass is disappointing, but they aren't the only games getting removed. They'll be joined by Amnesia: The Bunker, Forager, Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan, The Quarry, and Tin Hearts on December 15. Then, on December 31, Close to the Sun, Humankind, LEGO 2K Drive, McPixel 3, and day one game Party Animals are all leaving the service.

All Xbox Game Pass Games Leaving Soon List

• Amnesia: The Bunker - December 15
• Forager - December 15
• Forza Horizon 4 - December 15
• Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan - December 15
• Rise of the Tomb Raider - December 15
• The Quarry - December 15
• Tin Hearts - December 15
• BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle - December 31
• Close to the Sun - December 31
• Humankind - December 31
• LEGO 2K Drive - December 31
• McPixel 3 - December 31
• Party Animals - December 31

It's not all doom and gloom for Xbox Game Pass. The past couple of months have seen some major day one games added to the subscription service, like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and new titles are on the horizon for January. While the full list of new Xbox Game Pass games for January 2025 has yet to be announced, we do know that day one games Eternal Strands and Citizen Sleeper 2 are on deck.