Xbox Game Pass December 2023 Lineup Announced

Microsoft has announced the games coming to Xbox Game Pass in December 2023, as well as the first new additions coming to the Game Pass Core library.

It sounds like these games are the full lineup for December. “This month, we’re going for a ‘let’s announce everything coming in Game Pass for December’ sort of vibe,” Microsoft said in a post on Xbox Wire. “We’ll be back in early January after the holidays for more games coming soon to Game Pass. So, grab your controllers, charge those mice, and let’s get to the games!”

Remnant: From the Ashes (Cloud, Console, and PC) and Remnant 2 (Cloud, PC, Xbox Series X|S) surprise-dropped on Game Pass overnight. IGN’s Remnant 2 review returned a 9/10. We said: “Where Remnant: From The Ashes was a strong first draft, Remnant 2 is a revolutionary sequel and a sterling manifesto for the looter-shooter soulslike.”

Spirit of the North (Cloud, Console, and PC) joins Game Pass on December 1. It’s a single-player, third-person adventure game where you play as a red fox who’s story becomes entwined with the guardian of the Northern Lights.

SteamWorld Build (Cloud, Console, and PC) is available day-one with Game Pass on December 1. IGN awarded this one a 7/10. “SteamWorld Build is a simple but fun city builder cleverly combined with a dungeon-constructing miner that keeps things quick and casual.”

Next up is Clone Drone in the Danger Zone (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S), available from December 5. Here’s the official blurb: “A robot voxel slice ‘em up where any part of your body can be sliced off. With your mind downloaded into a robot gladiator, you must survive the sinister trials of the arena. Fight up to 15 players in Last Bot Standing, team up for online co-op, or face down the robot emperor in story mode!”

Also on December 5 is Crystal Dynamics’ Rise of the Tomb Raider (Cloud, Console, and PC), which makes a return to the Game Pass library. IGN’s Rise of the Tomb Raider review uncovered a 9/10: “Rise of the Tomb Raider takes its predecessor’s winning formula and improves on it in every way.”

December 5 is a big day for Game Pass. Then, While the Iron’s Hot (Cloud, Console, and PC) launches as another day-one Game Pass game. “Step into the boots of a journeyman blacksmith on a quest to become a master and restore a ruined village along the way. This crafty adventure game sends players to the mysterious isle of Ellian, where the world’s finest artisans dwell. While you might forge a few weapons on your journey, this isn’t the kind of game where you wield them – the island’s troubles can all be solved with your wits and crafting moxie.

And, again on December 5, Game Pass gets co-op third-person shooter World War Z: Aftermath (Cloud, Console, and PC). IGN gave this one 8/10: “World War Z: Aftermath is another lumbering step forward for zombie-kind, even if it doesn’t completely satisfy one’s appetite for brains.”

Moving on to December 7, Coffee Stain’s Goat Simulator 3 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) hits Game Pass. “Goat Simulator 3 is bigger, sillier, and packed with more low-stakes fun,” we wrote in the 8/10 review.

City builder Against the Storm (PC) launches into PC Game Pass on December 8: “A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization’s last survivors.”

Lemmings-style game Tin Hearts (Cloud, Console, and PC) enters Game Pass on December 12: “Spanning across four distinctive acts with 50+ puzzles masterfully woven throughout a grand Victorian home, steadily uncover a variety of whimsical inventions with unique abilities to provide a safe route of passage for a troop of tin soldiers to travel.”

And finally, Far Cry 6 (Cloud, Console, and PC) launches into Game Pass on December 14. IGN’s Far Cry 6 review returned an 8/10. We said: “Far Cry 6 smooths over a lot of the bumps that have cropped up in the past few games and even though it misses some steps, especially with its new inventory system, it’s the best the series has been in years.”

Here’s what’s coming to Game Pass in December 2023:

• Spirit of the North (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 1
• SteamWorld Build (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 1
• Clone Drone in the Danger Zone (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – December 5
• Rise of the Tomb Raider (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 5
• While the Iron’s Hot (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 5
• World War Z: Aftermath (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 5
• Goat Simulator 3 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – December 7
• Against the Storm (PC) – December 8
• Tin Hearts (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 12
• Far Cry 6 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 14

As mentioned, Microsoft is making its first two additions to the Game Pass Core library, both on December 6: Chivalry 2 and Totally Reliable Delivery Service. Microsoft has announced it plans to update the Game Pass Core library two or three times a year.

As usual, a number of games leave Game Pass in December. You get up to 20% off if you buy these games while a Game Pass subscriber.

Here’s what’s leaving Game Pass on December 15:

• Chained Echoes (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Opus Magnum (PC)
• Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Rubber Bandits (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.