Xbox Game Pass continues to refresh its library every month, adding new experiences while retiring selected titles from the service. With July 2026 winding down, Microsoft has confirmed that eight titles are set to leave both Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass on July 31, 2026. For anyone currently exploring these titles, this is the last stretch to finish campaigns, chase down achievements, or simply enjoy the games before they vanish from the subscription catalog.

For Xbox players who regularly manage digital purchases, staying on top of Game Pass updates matters. Whether you plan to buy a departing game outright or just want funds ready for whatever comes next, Buy Xbox Gift Card Digital Code ahead of time makes it easy to grab games, add-ons, and other digital content the moment you decide you need them.

• Back to the Dawn

• Celeste

• Crusader Kings III

• Crusader Kings III (Windows)

• Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

• My Friendly Neighborhood

• Rain World

• Sniper Elite: Resistance

• Whiskerwood (Windows)

The list of departures spans a wide mix of genres, with a few surprising names making a return. The Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass titles scheduled to leave on July 31, 2026 include Back to the Dawn, Celeste, Crusader Kings III (Console and Windows versions), Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, My Friendly Neighborhood, Rain World, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and Whiskerwood (Windows Edition).

Of the eight departures, Celeste, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, and Sniper Elite: Resistance stand to be felt most by the player base. But the more curious story belongs to Back to the Dawn, My Friendly Neighborhood, and Whiskerwood. All three appeared on an earlier July removal list, were pulled off due to a Microsoft listing error, and have now resurfaced under "leaving soon." That back-and-forth has left some subscribers understandably cautious about whether this removal date will actually stick.

For achievement hunters, the clock is ticking, though not every title is out of reach. Celeste remains one of the more approachable full completions on the list — the acclaimed platformer's full achievement set typically takes around ten hours for experienced players, and assist mode plus a guide can shrink that window further for anyone racing the deadline.

My Friendly Neighborhood asks for a bit more time. The survival horror title carries 43 achievements and usually takes 10 to 12 hours to clear, but several unlocks are tied to specific difficulty settings or missable story beats, so it's worth reviewing a checklist before diving into a fresh playthrough.

Sniper Elite: Resistance is the other major name on the departure list. Rebellion's stealth shooter includes 53 achievements, generally completable in under 25 hours, though the Authentic difficulty and Propaganda mission challenges demand sharper execution and a fair amount of trial and error.

Back to the Dawn is easily the heaviest commitment of the group. This prison-escape RPG can take roughly 150 hours to fully clear, with 46 achievements — many of them missable depending on choices made along the way. Anyone chasing full Gamerscore here needs to map out key decisions well in advance rather than improvising.

The remaining titles bring their own quirks. Rain World and Whiskerwood currently have thinner completion data available, but their historically low completion rates hint that both will take real effort to finish. Crusader Kings III remains a demanding strategy game with scenario-based achievements that reward long-term planning, and the Windows version carries an achievement that's partly discontinued, making a full clear effectively impossible on that platform. Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord closes out the list with a demanding set of grind-heavy achievements of its own.

Ahead of the July 31 cutoff, Microsoft is running discounts across many of the departing titles, giving players a chance to buy in permanently at a reduced price. Overlapping Xbox Summer Sale promotions may stack further savings on select games, including Crusader Kings III and Whiskerwood, so it's worth checking storefront pricing before the window closes.

None of this slows Game Pass' momentum, though — Microsoft continues growing the catalog with fresh releases to offset every wave of removals. Upcoming additions like Halo: Campaign Evolved and Mistfall Hunter are already generating buzz, and the months ahead look strong for subscribers willing to stick around.

For players who regularly pick up games, expansions, or subscription time, keeping account balance topped up in advance smooths out the process considerably. Many gamers choose to Buy Cheap Xbox Live Gift Card options ahead of major sales or release windows, so they're ready to act the moment a limited-time discount or must-play title drops.

FAQs

Q: What games are exiting Xbox Game Pass this July?

A: Eight titles leave both Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass on July 31, 2026, among them Celeste, Back to the Dawn, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and Crusader Kings III.

Q: Will these games still be available to purchase once they leave Game Pass?

A: In most cases, yes — the titles stay listed on the Xbox Store unless pulled from sale entirely, and pre-removal discounts are common.

Q: Which departing Xbox Game Pass game takes the longest to complete?

A: Back to the Dawn is the biggest time investment, with full achievement completion estimated around 150 hours due to numerous missable choices.

Q: Should I finish these games before they leave Xbox Game Pass?

A: If achievements or story completion matter to you, start now. Shorter games like Celeste are still realistic, while longer titles may require focusing on specific priority goals before the deadline.