New games will be added to the Xbox Game Pass for PC in December, but some will disappear from the offer. We have all the information for you!
The year 2021 is turning into the home stretch – but also in December, as usual, there is a whole series of new games that move into the Xbox Game Pass for PC and are available to all subscribers for free. In return, however, some titles will have to take down their tents and leave the service.
We list all the new additions and goodbyes below. Also, keep in mind that these are pretty much not all the games coming to Game Pass in December
New in Game Pass in December 2021
Anvil
(Genre: Multiplayer Action Game – Developer: Action Square – Release: December 2, 2021 – In Game Pass from: December 2, 2021)
Are you in the mood for some multiplayer action in a sci-fi setting? Then Anvil could be just the thing for you. Here you play a so-called breaker who sets off to alien planets together with his fellow professionals to recover alien artefacts called vaults.
Of course, this sounds too simple to be true. Not surprisingly, the planetary excursions are not a sightseeing tour. Instead, all kinds of enemies await you, especially extra-heavy boss opponents who are extremely reluctant to part with their valuable possessions.
Archvale
(Genre: RPG – Developer: idoz & phops – Release: December 2, 2021 – In Game Pass from: December 2, 2021)
As a brave adventurer, you face a cruel king and his sinister henchmen. You travel through different regions, kill numerous enemies and can use the valuable loot to craft even better weapons and equipment.
The battles are the central gameplay element in Archvale. They take the form of real bullet hell battles, which means they are fast-paced and emphasise precision and speed.
Final Fantasy XIII-2
(Genre: JRPG – Developer: Square Enix – Release: 11 December 2014 – In Game Pass from: 2 December 2021)
Nothing really needs to be said about Final Fantasy. The franchise of popular JRPGs is popular worldwide and can already boast numerous entries. Those who have not yet had the opportunity to play Final Fantasy XIII-2 can rejoice: From 2 December 2021, you can get started thanks to Game Pass.
Lawn Mowing Simulator
(Genre: Simulation – Developer: Skyhook Games – Release: 10 August 2021 – In Game Pass from: 2 December 2021)
You’ve already saved numerous kingdoms, prevented alien invasions, sent zombies to the afterlife – but there’s one thing left on your list before you can call yourself a true hero: Mowing the lawn!
You can devote yourself to this wonderfully meditative pastime from 2 December 2021. If you want to know which in-depth gameplay systems the Lawn Mowing Simulator has to offer, take a look at the trailer.
Rubber Bandits
(Genre: Multiplayer Party Game – Developer: Flashbulb – Release: December 2, 2021 – In Game Pass from: December 2, 2021)
Don’t let the colourful, child-friendly presentation fool you: Rubber Bandits is a tough test for your friendships. After all, in the best party game style, it’s all about which of you leaves the field victorious at the end.
In three modes, the aim is to reach the finish line first and steal, destroy and loot as much as possible in the process. You can play either in local co-op or in online multiplayer.
Stardew Valley
(Genre: Farming Simulation – Developer: ConcernedApe – Release: 26 February 2016 – In Game Pass from: 2 December 2021)
In case there are actually still gamers who can’t relate to the term Stardew Valley, we’ve pulled out our review video from back in the day for you. But don’t be fooled: Over the years, the peaceful farm simulation has become even bigger, more varied and better.
Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector
(Genre: Turn-based Strategy – Developer: Black Lab Games – Release: 22 July 2021 – In Game Pass from: 2 December 2021)
There are many games in the popular Warhammer 40k universe, and hardly any genre has been spared so far. But that doesn’t matter, after all, fans are happy about every opportunity to indulge their passion virtually. The turn-based strategy game Battlesector is no exception.
Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator
(Genre: SciFi Tycoon Game – Developer: Strange Scaffold – Release: December 7, 2021 – In Game Pass from: December 7, 2021)
Describing this game is a bit tricky. Let’s give it a go anyway: In Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator you work as an organ trader. This doesn’t sound like a desirable career choice at first, but in the game’s sci-fi future, it’s an extremely lucrative way to rake in some serious dough.
You offer the meat parts on the market to indulge in capitalism. Oh, and you’ll have to stop vampire leech organs from destroying your precious wares, but I’m sure you could figure that out for yourself, couldn’t you?!
Halo Infinite
(Genre: First-person shooter – Developer: 343 Industries – Release: December 8, 2021 – In Game Pass from: December 8, 2021)
Many years Halo fans had to wait, but finally the latest adventure of the Master Chief is in the starting blocks. From 8 December 2021 you can also dive into the story campaign. The biggest innovation is probably the open world, in which you will encounter the usual enemies. This makes the game feel more open, but in the end the storyline will still be very linear.
One Piece Pirate Warriors 4
(Genre: Action – Developer: Koei Tecmo – Release: 27 March 2020 – In Game Pass from: 9 December 2021)
You know one Muso game, you know them all. For those of you who have never heard of this generic term, here is a short, but nevertheless quite complete overview of the gameplay of One Piece Pirate Warriors 4: You slip into the skin of a character from the popular One Piece franchise and knock down countless enemies on extensive battlefields with cleverly used combos – or by randomly pressing buttons.
If you are unsure whether you can do something with the game: Just give it a try! From 9 December 2021, you can download the game for free in the Xbox Game Pass.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
(Genre: Co-op Survival Shooter – Developer: Cold Iron Studios – Release: August 24, 2021 – In Game Pass from: December 14, 2021)
Aliens fans haven’t had much to smile about for the past few years, but then Fireteam Elite appeared and put a smile on their faces. Because the co-op survival shooter does a lot right and only makes a few mistakes. As a Colonial Marine, you take on the iconic aliens. The story takes place 23 years after the films and should feature some familiar faces.
These games are leaving Game Pass for PC in December 2021
As usual, Microsoft is also releasing some titles from the subscription into the wild. No longer included as of 15 December are:
- The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan
- Guacamelee! 2
- Wilmot’s Warehouse
- Unto The End
- Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
What do you think of the games confirmed so far for Game Pass in December 2021? Overall, are you happy with the Xbox Game Pass offering, or do you have any changes you’d like to see Microsoft make?
