Any and all Game Pass subscribers will know all about the frequency of games that drop in – and out – of the service. With the likes of Exoprimal, Common’Hood and more having joined the subscription fun in recent days, it’s only right then that we find a few dropping out. That’s what is happening as a trio of games are removed from Game Pass.
Game Pass – an essential subscription?
Sit in the corner and lament their removal if you must, but a constantly revolving door of Xbox games is what makes Game Pass special. A same-old, same-old approach may soon see the freshness and excitement wane, so to keep Game Pass on Xbox and PC seen as the most outstanding of all subscription services you can, well, subscribe to, it’s the constant movement of forces that are expected.
Today we see that Game Pass library change again, with three Xbox games moving out. This doesn’t mean you cannot play them anymore, you can, it’s just that you’ll need to be opening the wallet if you wish to start – or continue – your adventures in any of them.
Those three games? We’re saying goodbye to Exo One (Cloud, Console, and PC), PAW Patrol The Movie: Adventure City Calls (Cloud, Console, and PC) and Spelunky 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC).
Exo One
Exo One released back in 2021, providing players with the chance to take in an interplanetary, gravity-defying journey. It’s one we loved too. In fact, we dropped a 4/5 review score onto the Xbox version as we worked our way through space and time.
A game in which you play as a pilot taking in humankind’s first voyage outside of the solar system, we found Exo One to be utterly strange. The narrative was equally so, even if we thoughts it may be a bit of a struggle to grab the attention of all. Ultimately though it was the chance to travel to mysterious new worlds that sold it. It was the galactic fix we needed at the time…
“If you do begin to love Exo One, you’ll start to understand the draw; the great experience of travelling through wonderful magical alien worlds. It’s a very unique game, one in which the journey plays as a mix of epic and zen-like experiences – a game that will give you the galactic fix you are looking for.”
PAW Patrol The Movie: Adventure City Calls
At the other end of the scale from Exo One is that of PAW Patrol The Movie: Adventure City Calls. We’re not really sure if we need to sell this one to you. If you’ve got some younger gamers in the house, it’s possibly a bit of a no-brainer to get it downloaded. You’ll find it available for install from the Xbox Store, keeping them quiet over a wet weekend. Even if it is far from the best PAW Patrol game available.
If you need to know more about how this PAW Patrol game plays though, let our review take you in. A 2/5 review score of PAW Patrol The Movie: Adventure City Calls may seem like it’s not a game worth taking in, but think of the peace and quiet…
“Where the movie feels like an evolution of the franchise, this feels like a step back into the primordial swamp. Play the other PAW Patrol games instead, please.”
Spelunky 2
Of the three games leaving Game Pass today, it’s probably that of Spelunky 2 that we will miss the most.
This is a game that delivered a cracking roguelike challenge when it released back in 2022. In fact, it’s about as rewarding as you can get. At least when you pull off what Spelunky 2 is asking of you. Greatly expanded on from the original Spelunky, a whole host of various paths and levels allow you to really go deep into the world that it holds. And honestly, kicking back and taking in a ton of exploration is sometimes all we want in life.
Our review of Spelunky 2 was extremely complimentary. Whilst we understand that it may not be for all, spend time with this little gem of an adventure, and you’ll come away loving what is found within.
“If you enjoy roguelikes or are after a game that challenges you, feeling incredibly rewarding when you pull off some crazy maneuvers, then I can’t recommend Spelunky 2 enough.”
More games are coming to Game Pass
Disappointed to be losing any of these Game Pass games? Are you slap bang in the middle of a playthrough of Adventure City Calls? Are you still exploring the world of Spelunky 2? You’ll need to pay up some cash in order to continue those journeys. Unless of course you await a point in time when Game Pass welcomes these titles back in. We’re sure they’ll arrive again at some point.
But don’t let the disappointment of these Game Pass removals affect your weekend. Look forward, look ahead to new additions to the service. There are a good few of those coming too, even if Microsoft haven’t fully detailed the rest of the amendments. But expect July’s Game Pass service to welcome Techtonica (Game Preview) and The Cave on July 18th.
We’ll keep you looped as to the changes thereafter.
