Xbox Game Pass is closing out July 2026 with one of its most stacked waves yet, headlined by Halo: Campaign Evolved and Game Freak’s new action RPG Beast of Reincarnation joining the service as day-one releases. From chill terraforming and co-op horror to dark fantasy extraction and classic spell-slinging shooters, there’s something here for almost every kind of XBOX and PC player.
Big Halo Remake Headlines July’s XBOX Game Pass Wave 2
Microsoft has detailed the second July 2026 wave of XBOX Game Pass titles, with Halo: Campaign Evolved finally dated for July 28 as a day-one addition for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. The remake rebuilds Halo: Combat Evolved’s legendary campaign from the ground up, bringing HD visuals, refined controls, up to four-player online co-op, three brand-new missions, and an expanded arsenal of weapons, vehicles, and enemies.
The announcement comes via the official XBOX Wire blog post, penned by Megan Spurr, Senior Community Lead for XBOX Game Pass. It positions Halo: Campaign Evolved as the flagship release in a lineup that blends nostalgia with experimental new IP—perfect timing as Microsoft looks to keep XBOX Game Pass momentum strong heading into the back half of 2026.
New Games Available Today and This Week
The fresh batch of titles starts right away with The Planet Crafter, available today, July 21, on cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, XBOX Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass members. It’s a chill terraforming sim where you’re dropped onto a hostile planet and asked to slowly turn it into a livable world, managing survival, resource collection, base-building, and planetary engineering as you push toward a fully habitable environment.
On July 22, the tone shifts from peaceful sci-fi to unsettling horror with Shift at Midnight, a day-one addition for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC. This co-op detective horror game has you and two other players working randomized “shifts,” investigating customers that may not be human at all, and boarding up, setting traps, and hiding if you misread the situation.
Dark Adventures: Hell is Us, Mistfall Hunter, Corsair Cove
Dropping on July 23 is Hell is Us, arriving on cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, XBOX Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Set in Hadea—a nation torn apart by civil war and cursed by a supernatural disaster—the game emphasizes brutal melee combat, minimal hand-holding, and player-driven exploration as you follow your instincts through a bleak but story-rich world.
Just a week later, on July 30, Mistfall Hunter launches as a dark fantasy extraction ARPG on cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC, available day one via XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. You’ll build characters by combining skills, talents, and gear for each class, then dive into high-risk runs solo or in co-op, where the only way to return with a full haul is to survive the journey out.
Rounding out July’s strategy offerings, Corsair Cove arrives July 31 as a PC-only title for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. It’s a pirate-themed city-builder where you construct a sprawling haven, manage complex production chains—from ale to flintlock pistols—and keep a rowdy crew of scallywags and swashbucklers in line while you challenge the crown on the high seas.
Retro Magic: Heretic + Hexen Return
Fans of classic shooters get a notable treat on August 4 with Heretic + Hexen, now expanded to XBOX Game Pass Premium alongside its availability in XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This definitive re-release modernizes two influential dark spell-casting FPS titles with enhanced restoration, broader language support, and wider platform reach, making it easier than ever for new players and long-time fans to revisit these genre-shaping games.
The bundle leans into its cult-classic status, offering improved accessibility features while preserving the atmospheric, magic-heavy combat that differentiated Heretic and Hexen from traditional ’90s shooters. With the new “Handheld” designation on certain titles, this release also underscores Microsoft’s push to make retro experiences feel comfortable on modern devices, including handheld-focused setups.
Beast of Reincarnation Brings Game Freak to XBOX Game Pass
Also landing on August 4 is Beast of Reincarnation, a brand-new Game Freak title that joins XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass as a day-one release on cloud, XBOX Series X|S, handheld, and PC. Set in a beautiful yet unforgiving post-apocalyptic Japan, the action RPG blends real-time and turn-based combat and centers on the “one-person, one-dog” partnership between Emma and Koo.
The game’s combat system is pitched as a “fusion” approach, letting players experience tactical planning and responsive action together rather than choosing one or the other. As Emma and Koo progress on their journey, players are teased with the question of what awaits at the end—hinting at a narrative that leans into themes of rebirth, companionship, and survival amid devastation.
In Case You Missed It: July Highlights
If you’ve been behind on downloads, XBOX highlights two notable “In Case You Missed It” additions from earlier in July. Buckshot Roulette, which joined XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, XBOX Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass on July 8 across cloud, XBOX Series X|S, handheld, and PC, reimagines Russian Roulette as a tabletop horror experience built around a pump-action shotgun, live and blank shells, and high-stakes mind games.
Meanwhile, Denshattack! arrived July 15 on cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. It’s a fast-paced, off-the-rails ride where you flip, trick, and grind your train through a colorful Japanese dystopia, racing rival gangs and taking down a shady megacorporation using style, speed, and precision tricks along the tracks.
In-Game Perks: Zenless Zone Zero
Subscribers also get new in-game benefits for Zenless Zone Zero on PC starting July 29, available across XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, XBOX Game Pass Premium, XBOX Game Pass Essential, and PC Game Pass. The perk centers on Remielle, the first-generation Void Hunter who has awakened after a century, and Sigrid, the Deputy Director of Airspace Patrol, as they arrive with a mix of blades and Ether-driven abilities.
As part of the game’s second anniversary celebration, players can select an S-Rank Agent, giving XBOX Game Pass users a powerful boost as they dive into the latest content drop. It’s another example of Microsoft leveraging XBOX Game Pass not just for full-game access, but for extras that sweeten the deal on popular live-service titles.
Games Leaving XBOX Game Pass on July 31
As usual, a strong lineup of new arrivals comes with a wave of departures, all scheduled to leave the XBOX Game Pass library on July 31. Players who want to keep these titles can purchase them at a discount before they exit, thanks to XBOX Game Pass’s member savings.
The following games are leaving at the end of the month:
For XBOX Game Pass subscribers, July essentially becomes a “last chance” window for these indie darlings and deep strategy sandboxes, making the rest of the month a good time to prioritize your backlog.
Where XBOX Game Pass Stands After This Drop
Stacking day-one releases like Halo: Campaign Evolved, Beast of Reincarnation, Mistfall Hunter, and Shift at Midnight alongside diverse genres such as terraforming, horror, retro shooters, and city-building shows how aggressively Microsoft is still leaning into XBOX Game Pass as its primary ecosystem play. With “Handheld” now appearing as a formal designation, it’s clear the company is thinking beyond traditional console and PC setups and wants XBOX Game Pass to feel native on portable hardware as well.
If you’re eyeing this wave, it’s worth deciding whether your priority is co-op horror, classic Halo nostalgia, experimental JRPG combat, or a laid-back builder like The Planet Crafter—because late July and early August are going to be busy across XBOX and PC.
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