Skip to main content

From horror to cozy: Xbox adds more games to its June Game Pass lineup

A beam of light surrounding a large tendril in between two broken metal platforms.
Secret Mode

Microsoft has announced the rest of the games coming to Xbox Game Pass in June, and it’s a mix that leans from wholesome to dark and foreboding.

Out on Tuesday is Still Wakes the Deep, the latest horror game from Dear Esther developer The Chinese Room and Secret Mode, which was previously announced to be launching on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass day one. In this deep sea nightmare, you have to survive a sinking oil rig in the North Sea while not getting taken in by a mysterious eldritch horror.

Recommended Videos

Things are definitely lighter from there. If you’re looking for something more soothing, My Time at Sandrock is hitting the service on Wednesday. This farming/crafting open-world life sim from Pathea Games has a ton to do, from conquering dungeons to farming and romancing other characters. It also features co-op, so you can play with friends. It’s an immensely detailed, adorable-looking game, and if you’re drawn in by its cozy, Stardew Valley-esque vibes, you’ll have a good time.

Ahead of the release of SteamWorld Heist 2 in August, you can catch up on some Metroidvania goodness with SteamWorld Dig and SteamWorld Dig 2 on June 26 for cloud and console, and console and PC, respectively.

Other games coming to Game Pass are the RPG Keplerth (PC Game Pass only) on June 20, EA Sports FC 24 on June 25, and Robin Hood — Sherwood Builders on June 27. Minecraft players will also get access to the Tricky Trials updates, which is now available for download.

However, games being added means some games have to leave. Here’s the list.

Leaving June 30

  • FIFA 22 (console and PC)
  • F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch (cloud, console, and PC)
  • Stranded Deep (cloud, console, and PC)
  • Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town (cloud, console, and PC)
  • Sword and Fairy Together Forever (cloud, console, and PC)

Leaving July 5

  • Cricket 22 (cloud, console, and PC)
Carli Velocci
Carli is a technology, culture, and games editor and journalist. They were the Gaming Lead and Copy Chief at Windows Central…
The best games on Xbox Game Pass right now (October 2024)
Key art for Hi-Fi Rush.

 

As the Xbox Game Pass program has grown, so has our list of the best games on Xbox Game Pass. After the launch of the Xbox Series X, Microsoft has doubled down on Game Pass, and now offers well over 350 games on that console alone. To help you through option paralysis, we rounded up the top games on Microsoft's subscription platform.

Read more
2 critically acclaimed indies are coming to Game Pass this month
Sifu's main character at age 70 in Sifu.

Xbox is kicking off October with three new games coming to Game Pass, along with two from the Ultimate tier getting added to the Standard tier, the first time the company has had to make that distinction.

Inscryption and Sifu, two standout indie titles from 2021 and 2022, respectively, are absolutely worth checking out when they hit Game Pass this month. Sifu, coming on October 2, is a third-person beat 'em up with a twist: every time you die, you get resurrected as an older version of yourself. This brings some advantages, like new skills, but your health decreases. Sifu is less about defeating waves of enemies and more about improving as you go, becoming something of a kung fu master.

Read more
3 new Xbox Game Pass games to try this weekend (September 27-29)
Sombra's new look in Overwatch 2.

First-party games are finally getting the big, consistent presence on Xbox Game Pass that we've been hoping for. In September alone, Age of Mythology: Retold and Ara: History Untold have made their way into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, while Overwatch 2 started to give a ton of benefits to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. This is bound to only continue ramping up in the coming months as games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 release and more back catalog Activision games come to the service. Simply put, there's going to be a lot to enjoy on Xbox Game Pass. That's why I recommend you check out two of these first-party games, as well as an underrated indie strategy game sequel. this weekend
Overwatch 2

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers should connect their account to Battle.net because a lot of perks for subscribers came to the free-to-play hero shooter Overwatch 2 earlier this month. Cardboard Reinhardt, Turtleship D.Va, Cyberdragon Hanzo, Street Runner Genji, Bee Mercy, and Cleric Lifeweaver skins, as well as 30 Mythic Prisms, can be permanently redeemed before November 11. A rotating collection of other cosmetics and a 10% XP boost are available indefinitely to Xbox Game Pass subscribers. You can access these perks across any platforms that Overwatch 2 is on, including PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.
Ara: History Untold

Read more