What changed most: The biggest impact is the departure of five well-regarded games across various genres, including a day-one Game Pass release, giving subscribers a limited window to play them before they exit the library on .
- Platforms: Console, PC, and Cloud (via Xbox Game Pass)
- Release: Leaving (Confirmed)
- Price: At least 20% off for Game Pass members (specific pricing varies by title and sale)
- Developer: Various (Angel Matrix, A44 Games, Neon Giant, Digixart, Casual Brothers)
- Genre: FPS, Action RPG, Adventure, Platformer, Twin-stick shooter
Microsoft has officially announced the first wave of games leaving Xbox Game Pass in January 2026. This rotation includes a compelling mix of experiences, from fast-paced shooters and challenging action RPGs to narrative-driven adventures and family-friendly platformers. Subscribers have until the end of to either finish these games or purchase them permanently at a discount. Your achievements and save data will remain tied to your profile if you decide to buy them later.
Here’s the full list of games confirmed to be leaving Xbox Game Pass on :
- Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
- Neon White
- Road 96
- The Ascent
- The Grinch: Christmas Adventures – Merry & Mischievous Edition
Neon White
If you haven’t experienced the lightning-fast, genre-bending action of Neon White, now’s your chance! Developed by Angel Matrix and published by Annapurna Interactive, this game is a unique blend of first-person shooting, parkour, and card-based mechanics. You play as an assassin from Hell, competing to slay demons in Heaven, using “Soul Cards” for both weapons and powerful movement abilities like double jumps and dashes.
Neon White’s bold visual style and addictive time-trial design have earned it a cult following among players who love to speedrun and optimize their routes. It’s a game that challenges you to constantly refine your approach, making every level a puzzle to solve for the quickest possible clear.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
For fans of Souls-lite action, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is a must-play before it leaves. Developed by A44 Games and published by Kepler Interactive, this third-person action RPG combines heavy melee combat with magic and flintlock firearms. You take on the role of Nor Vanek, accompanied by a godlike companion, fighting through an army of the dead and vengeful gods in a unique “flintlock fantasy” setting.
Released as a day-one Game Pass title in 2024, its departure is particularly notable. The combat emphasizes rhythmic battles, allowing you to weave together melee, gunpowder, and magic, often with opportunities to exploit verticality. It delivers challenging encounters that are more accessible than the most brutal Soulslike titles.
The Ascent
Don’t miss out on The Ascent, a visually stunning cyberpunk action-shooter RPG from developer Neon Giant and publisher Curve Digital. Set in the densely detailed, neon-lit arcology of Veles, the game offers a rich dystopian atmosphere that truly shines, especially in co-op.
The Ascent combines twin-stick shooting with deep RPG progression and Diablo-style loot, letting you customize your character with cyberware and new skills. While its blend of genres can be a lot, the sheer detail of its world and explosive combat make for a memorable experience. It supports both solo and up to 4-player co-op, including online and local options.
Road 96
Road 96 is a truly unique narrative-driven adventure by Digixart, inspired by road trip films and procedural storytelling. You play as a series of nameless teenagers attempting to hitchhike their way to freedom across the authoritarian nation of Petria, with each journey being procedurally generated and influenced by your choices.
The game is filled with memorable characters and intertwining stories, where your decisions can impact the country’s destiny. It’s a poignant, sometimes wacky, and always engaging experience that emphasizes freedom and escape.
The Grinch: Christmas Adventures – Merry & Mischievous Edition
Rounding out the list is the family-friendly platformer, The Grinch: Christmas Adventures, developed by Casual Brothers and published by Outright Games. Perfect for a festive playthrough, this game lets you sneak and steal presents as the Grinch and his loyal dog Max, with visuals inspired by Dr. Seuss’s original illustrations.
It features local co-op, allowing two players to control the Grinch and Max, solving puzzles and using gadgets like a Candy Cane Lasso and a Santa costume. While aimed at younger players, it offers a charming way to enjoy the classic Christmas tale.
The gaming community is always abuzz when Game Pass titles rotate out, and these departures are no exception. Players are urging fellow subscribers to try Neon White for its unique speedrunning mechanics and praising Flintlock for its accessible Souls-like combat. Many are reminiscing about their co-op sessions in The Ascent’s cyberpunk world. The discounts offered by Microsoft are a welcome incentive for those looking to keep these games in their library permanently.
This batch of departing Game Pass titles offers a fantastic array of experiences, from high-octane action to thought-provoking narratives and cozy platforming. I strongly recommend diving into Neon White if you crave speed and style, or exploring Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn for a fresh take on action RPGs. Don’t let these gems slip away before !
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