The Ever-Changing Landscape of Xbox Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass continues to evolve, offering gamers a dynamic library of titles that change regularly. While some games are added to the service, others are removed to make way for new arrivals. This month, Microsoft announced the removal of several notable games from Xbox Game Pass, effective Saturday, March 15. These include Lies of P, Yakuza 5 Remastered, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, Evil West, No More Heroes 3, Solar Ash, and SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated. Gamers who have not yet played these titles or want to complete them before they leave the service are encouraged to act quickly. With limited time left, players must prioritize their gaming sessions if they hope to experience these games before they become unavailable on Game Pass.
The removal of Lies of P is particularly notable, as the game was a Day 1 release on Xbox Game Pass in 2023 and has since earned critical acclaim for its unique take on the Pinocchio story, blending Soulslike mechanics with a grim, mechanical puppet-infested world. Its departure coincides with the upcoming release of its first DLC, Lies of P: Overture, a prequel set to launch this summer. Players who want to refresh their memory of the base game or experience it for the first time before the DLC drops must do so before March 15. Completionists, beware: Lies of P requires approximately 29 hours to finish, so players would need to dedicate around 15 hours a day to complete it in time.
Notable Departures: A Farewell to Beloved Titles
In addition to Lies of P, several other games are leaving Xbox Game Pass, including two Yakuza titles: Yakuza 5 Remastered and Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. This reduction follows the removal of Yakuza 3 Remastered and Yakuza 4 Remastered in February, further shrinking the number of Yakuza games available on the service. Fans of the series will need to purchase these titles separately if they wish to continue their Yakuza journey.
Other departing games include Evil West, a stylish action-adventure game with a Wild West vampire-slaying twist, and No More Heroes 3, a chaotic hack-and-slash title from the eccentric mind of Suda51. Solar Ash, a visually stunning game with fast-paced traversal mechanics and a striking art style, is also leaving, along with SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated, a lighthearted platformer based on the beloved animated series. These games represent a diverse range of genres, and their departure will be felt by fans of each respective style.
New Arrivals: Fresh Titles to Explore
While the removal of these games may disappoint some, Xbox Game Pass is also adding six new titles to its library in March. These additions offer a variety of experiences, ensuring that players have plenty of fresh content to look forward to. Among the new arrivals is Monster Train, a unique roguelike deck builder where players defend a train from celestial forces invading Hell. With over 250 cards and six monster clans to command, Monster Train offers deep strategic gameplay and replayability.
Another exciting addition is Galacticare, a resource-management game where players take on the role of director at an intergalactic hospital. Tasked with curing a wide variety of alien species, players must design, furnish, and upgrade their hospital, hire staff, and manage finances—all while keeping their extraterrestrial patients happy. The game’s unnamed but evident commentary on real-world healthcare systems adds a layer of satirical humor to its otherwise lighthearted premise.
For those looking for a more relaxing experience, One Lonely Outpost offers a cozy farming simulation set on an alien planet. Players must terraform the land, grow crops, raise robo-livestock, and even romance fellow settlers, creating a charming and unique take on the farming sim genre.
More Additions: Action, Adventure, and Co-op Fun
The march of new games continues with Enter the Gungeon, a gunfight dungeon crawler that returns to Xbox Game Pass after a two-year absence. This fast-paced game challenges players to shoot, loot, and dodge their way through procedurally generated levels in search of the ultimate weapon: a gun that can kill the past. With its tight gameplay and hidden secrets, Enter the Gungeon is a great addition for fans of action-packed roguelikes.
Also arriving is Mullet MadJack, a first-person shooter with a cyberpunk aesthetic reminiscent of Hotline Miami. Players have only 10 seconds to live, and their survival depends on killing robotic enemies as quickly as possible. The game also features a mission to rescue an "Influencer" from a skyscraper, adding a sense of urgency to its fast-paced action.
Finally, 33 Immortals (available starting March 18) takes the cooperative action-roguelike genre to new heights by supporting up to 33 players at once. In this chaotic game, players are damned souls rebelling against God’s judgment by fighting hordes of monsters and massive bosses. With the ability to upgrade their souls and unlock new weapons, 33 Immortals offers a unique and thrilling co-op experience.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: A Comprehensive Gaming Experience
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate remains one of the most compelling gaming subscriptions on the market, offering access to hundreds of games across Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, and mobile devices for $20 per month. Subscribers also enjoy additional benefits such as online multiplayer access and exclusive discounts on non-Game Pass titles. Recent additions like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 further diversify the library, ensuring that there is always something new to play.
For those considering which Game Pass plan is right for them, Xbox offers a range of options to suit different gaming preferences and budgets. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore gamer, the service provides unparalleled value and flexibility. With constant updates and new titles being added every month, Xbox Game Pass continues to redefine how we discover and enjoy games.
A Final Word on Xbox Game Pass
The ever-changing nature of Xbox Game Pass ensures that the service remains fresh and exciting, even as it asks players to say goodbye to beloved titles. While the departure of games like Lies of P and the Yakuza series may be bittersweet, the addition of new games like Monster Train and 33 Immortals offers plenty of reasons to stay engaged. Whether you’re a fan of roguelikes, farming sims, or action-packed shooters, Xbox Game Pass has something for everyone. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, one thing is certain: Xbox Game Pass will remain at the forefront of innovation, delivering new experiences and opportunities for gamers of all kinds.
