XBOX Game Pass is heading into the second half of September with one of its biggest updates of the year so far. Microsoft has confirmed a long list of additions that includes Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons II, Dune: Awakening, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Several of these releases will be available on day one through XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, making the next few weeks especially busy for XBOX Series X|S, PC, cloud, and handheld players.
The standout additions are clearly Minecraft Dungeons II on September 29 and Gears of War: E-Day on October 6. Both games are coming to the service as day-one launches, giving subscribers two major Microsoft-published franchises to look forward to.
Gears of War: E-Day comes to XBOX Game Pass October 6
Gears of War: E-Day will launch on October 6 for XBOX Series X|S, PC, handheld devices, and XBOX Cloud Gaming. The game will be available day one for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.
The upcoming game takes the series back to Emergence Day, the catastrophic event that began humanity’s war against the Locust Horde. Set 14 years before the original Gears of War, the campaign follows Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago as they experience the first Locust invasion.
Microsoft describes the new entry as a return to the horror and brutality of Emergence Day. That could make Gears of War: E-Day a more focused and personal story than the recent mainline games, while also giving longtime fans a chance to revisit the early days of Sera’s war.
Minecraft Dungeons II arrives day one
Minecraft Dungeons II is coming to XBOX Game Pass on September 29. It will be available day one on cloud, console, handheld, and PC for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.
The sequel sends players into the Sift, a mysterious new dimension filled with unexplored lands, unfamiliar threats, and new gear customization opportunities. Microsoft says players will need to prepare for the toughest battle yet as they venture beyond the rifts.
The original Minecraft Dungeons adapted the Minecraft world into a co-op action RPG with loot collecting, dungeon crawling, and accessible hack-and-slash combat. The sequel appears set to build on that formula with a new setting and more ways to develop a character’s loadout.
It should be a strong addition for players looking for an approachable co-op game to play with friends or family.
Dune: Awakening joins Game Pass September 22
Dune: Awakening will join XBOX Game Pass on September 22 for cloud, XBOX Series X|S, handheld, and PC players.
The game will be available to XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, XBOX Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass subscribers. It is an open-world survival game that combines single-player and multiplayer gameplay with RPG progression, crafting, base building, exploration, and a cinematic story set in the Dune universe.
Players will explore the desert planet Arrakis, gather resources, build shelters, craft equipment, and attempt to survive one of science fiction’s most dangerous worlds.
For XBOX Game Pass members looking for a game with a longer progression loop than a traditional campaign, Dune: Awakening could be one of the more substantial additions in this month’s wave.
Every game coming to XBOX Game Pass
| Game | Date | XBOX Game Pass tiers |
|---|---|---|
| RuneScape: Dragonwilds | September 15 | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Marvel Cosmic Invasion | September 16 | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Planet of Lana II | September 16 | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Routine | September 16 | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Ultimate Sheep Raccoon | September 16 | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Kernel Hearts | September 17 | Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Ninja Gaiden 4 | September 17 | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Dune: Awakening | September 22 | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Well Dweller | September 22 | Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Mad King Redemption | September 23 | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 | September 25 | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Minecraft Dungeons II | September 29 | Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
| Keeper | October 2 | Ultimate, Premium, PC Game Pass |
| Gears of War: E-Day | October 6 | Ultimate, PC Game Pass |
Microsoft is also adding Rematch to XBOX Game Pass Essential on September 25. The third-person, team-based soccer game supports 5v5 online competition and puts each player in direct control of a single athlete. Unlike traditional soccer games, it has no offsides, no fouls, and no downtime between plays.
Ninja Gaiden 4 and Black Ops 6 join Premium
XBOX Game Pass Premium members are also getting several notable additions during this update.
Ninja Gaiden 4 arrives on September 17 for cloud, XBOX Series X|S, handheld, and PC. The new entry brings back the franchise’s fast-paced hack-and-slash combat, combining its classic high-difficulty action with a new generation of visuals and gameplay.
Then, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 joins XBOX Game Pass Premium on September 25. The game includes its cinematic single-player campaign, competitive multiplayer, and round-based Zombies mode.
Other games joining the Premium tier include Marvel Cosmic Invasion, Planet of Lana II, Routine, Ultimate Sheep Raccoon, Dune: Awakening, Mad King Redemption, and Keeper.
For more on Microsoft’s gaming subscription service, visit our XBOX Game Pass coverage.
Sea of Thieves Season 21 and EA Sports FC 27
Microsoft also shared a few updates for existing games and subscriber benefits.
Sea of Thieves: Season 21 begins on September 17, bringing a Free Play Weekend from September 17 through September 21. During that time, players will be able to jump into the pirate adventure without needing a subscription.
The new season includes a Talk Like a Pirate Day Parley Event, a new parley pennant for communicating with other crews, special sails to unlock, a new Seasonal reward track, Bilge Rat Weekenders, Fight Nights, and more.
Meanwhile, EA Play members will be able to try EA Sports FC 27 through an early access trial beginning September 18 on XBOX consoles and PC.
Games leaving XBOX Game Pass September 30
As new games enter the library, several titles will leave at the end of the month. XBOX Game Pass subscribers have until September 30 to play these games through the service. Microsoft also offers subscribers a discount if they want to buy a game before it leaves.
The following games are leaving XBOX Game Pass on September 30:
- Atomfall
- Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
- Little Nightmares 2 Enhanced Edition
- Little Rocket Lab
- Sifu
- SOPA: Tale of the Stolen Potato
- Sworn
- Terminull Brigade
This is a huge update for XBOX Game Pass, particularly for subscribers who have been waiting for more day-one releases. Dune: Awakening, Minecraft Dungeons II, and Gears of War: E-Day give players three very different major experiences across survival, action RPG, and third-person shooter genres.
With Ninja Gaiden 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and a strong mix of indie releases also entering the library, XBOX Game Pass subscribers will have plenty to play through the end of September and into October.
Discover more from Microsoft News Now
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.