Today marks the departure of three highly-rated games from Xbox Game Pass, culminating in a total of nine games removed from the service this July. These changes reflect the dynamic nature of Microsoft’s subscription service, which regularly updates its game offerings.

July’s Departures Add to Growing List

Earlier this month, subscribers witnessed the removal of notable titles including The Wandering Village and Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, with Cricket 22 having exited on July 5. Today’s exits include A Short Hike, Train Sim World 4, and Venba, enhancing the catalog’s turnover for July 2024.

Highlight of the Departures: A Short Hike

Of the departing titles, A Short Hike stands out with an exceptional OpenCritic score of 87 and a 100% recommendation rate from reviewers. This adventure game has been a favorite for its engaging gameplay and beautiful, relaxing landscapes, where players traverse the Hawk Peak Provincial Park at their own pace. This game, available on console, cloud, and PC since August 2023, can be completed in approximately 1.5 to 4.5 hours according to HowLongtoBeat.com.

A Look at Other Departures

Train Sim World 4 and Venba also exit the Game Pass roster. Venba, a narrative-driven puzzle game about an Indian immigrant in the 1980s recreating her family’s recipes, has been praised for its heartfelt storytelling and innovative gameplay. This title, which also boasts strong reviews, can be completed in just a couple of hours.

Conversely, Train Sim World 4 offers a more prolonged experience and is the only title among today’s departures that is not quickly beatable. Despite its less stellar critical reception compared to the other two, it has maintained a “Mostly Positive” rating from over 2,600 user reviews on Steam, suggesting a solid audience appreciation.

Final Hours to Play

Players still have a few hours left today to explore these games before they are removed from Xbox Game Pass. Although no discounts were offered in advance of their removal, these titles provided diverse and rich experiences during their tenure on the service.

What’s Next for Xbox Game Pass

Looking ahead, Microsoft is anticipated to announce its first batch of game additions for August 2024 in the coming days. This ongoing cycle of refreshes highlights Xbox Game Pass’s commitment to maintaining a vibrant and varied lineup, catering to a broad spectrum of player preferences and interests.

Conclusion

The departure of A Short Hike, Train Sim World 4, and Venba from Xbox Game Pass is a significant rotation within the service’s catalog, underscoring the transient nature of digital game libraries. As Xbox Game Pass continues to evolve, subscribers can look forward to new and exciting gaming experiences that will replace those that are cycling out.

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