Xbox Game Pass doesn’t always swing for the fences every month, but June 2024 genuinely caught my attention-and not just because of the usual “more games” promise. This time, it’s the mix of ambitious Day One debuts and a few iconic heavy hitters (plus some notable departures) that actually makes the lineup feel unpredictable again. It’s the kind of month that reminds you why Game Pass can be worth sticking with… or, depending on your backlog, why it’s so overwhelming.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios / Various |
| Release Date | June 2024 (various dates) |
| Genres | Action, Adventure, RPG, Platformer, Sports, FPS, Roguelite |
| Platforms | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Cloud |
Let’s dig past the marketing bullet points and talk about why this lineup actually matters, because Game Pass can sometimes feel like a pile of “filler” with the occasional gem. But June’s selection really does feel curated to show off the service’s strengths.
The big story here is the Day One focus. The Alters-from 11 bit studios (the folks behind This War of Mine and Frostpunk)—looks like a thoughtful story-driven survival game where you manage alternate versions of yourself. That “what if” premise has a lot of potential, and 11 bit has earned some benefit of the doubt from me thanks to their track record with meaningful narrative games. FBC: Firebreak is more of a wild card; it’s a co-op FPS from Remedy, who just lit up the industry with Alan Wake II. Remedy doesn’t usually do multiplayer, so I’m both intrigued and a little skeptical about how well they’ll translate their signature storytelling and vibes to a “shooty team-based” format. It’s ambitious—and ambition is usually what I want from a Day One Game Pass launch.
On the nostalgia side, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time finally hits Game Pass. You could argue it’s overdue, but it’s still one of the better modern platformers if you’re craving something tough but fair. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition is another nice touch for action fans; the original was something of a cult favorite, so it’s good to see the remaster arrive as excitement for Space Marine 2 builds. Baldur’s Gate I & II: Enhanced Editions are worth a look if you missed them before—and with Baldur’s Gate 3 igniting RPG conversations again, this is a welcome history lesson for new fans.
I’d be remiss not to mention EA Sports FC 25 dropping via EA Play. Look, I’m not the world’s biggest football sim fan, but putting this in the service right as big tournaments heat up is a no-brainer move to keep EA Play relevant for sports gamers. Barbie Project Friendship and Kingdom: Two Crowns round out the lineup—more niche picks, but that’s the point: there’s genuine variety here.
Now, the flip side. Seven games are leaving on June 15. Microsoft always buries this part, but it matters: If you’ve been meaning to finish something, check the “leaving soon” list and don’t sleep on it. That’s the FOMO tax of Game Pass—you’ll never own these games, so play what you want while you can.
For gamers like us, here’s what this means: June is a microcosm of why Game Pass works when it works. The service feels alive when it’s not just dumping old games, but actually betting on new ideas (The Alters, FBC: Firebreak) and giving you a reason to try them without extra risk. There’s still plenty of value for fans of established IPs and genres—especially with Crash Bandicoot 4 and Space Marine. But the catch is always the same: you need to keep up, or risk missing out as stuff rotates out. That’s the double-edged sword of the subscription model.
If anything, this June feels like Game Pass proving it can still deliver both surprises and heavy hitters in the same breath. Whether you actually have time to play them all… well, that’s another problem entirely. But if you’re looking for variety and a couple of unexpected gems, this is a strong month.
June 2024’s Game Pass lineup is stacked with Day One launches and established favorites. The Alters and FBC: Firebreak headline a month that mixes genuine experimentation with nostalgia, wrapped in the all-too-familiar “play it before it’s gone” pressure. If you like trying new games without the buy-in, this is the kind of month that reminds you why Game Pass is so addictive—and so overwhelming.
Source: Xbox Game Studios via GamesPress