Xbox Game Pass has had a very impressive holiday season and has started off 2020 better than ever. Just two days ago Microsoft confirmed that Grand Theft Auto 5, the most successful game of the generation, is now available on Xbox Game Pass for console. But not all Game Pass news is good news to start out 2020, as Microsoft has confirmed that two different Game Pass games will be leaving the subscription service in January.
The first game leaving Xbox Game Pass in January is Just Cause 3, an open-world action-adventure game from Avalanche Studios. It’s perhaps best known for a ton of destructible objects, as well as its grappling mechanic. Those worried they might miss out on some great Just Cause content on Xbox One don’t need to stress out too much, though; Just Cause 4 may not have been as well-received as Just Cause 3 at launch, but it does hold up a bit better in 2020.
Second on Microsoft’s list of games leaving the Game Pass service is LEGO City Undercover, which was originally a Wii U exclusive action game. Players take on the role of police officer Chase McCain in this goofy LEGO take on an open-world Grand Theft Auto-style game. Like with Just Cause 3, this isn’t too huge of a loss from the service - especially with LEGO Worlds, LEGO Ninjago, and the classic LEGO Star Wars 3 still available.
Indie adventure-puzzle game RIME from Tequila Works was also supposed to leave the service but it has since been removed from the list. It’s still possible that it will leave and there was an error, but Microsoft has not confirmed one way or the other.
Unfortunately, Microsoft hasn’t provided a specific date for the departure of both Just Cause 3 and Lego City Undercover just yet. Xbox Game Pass subscribers who want to play the games before they leave the service should do that as soon as they can.
While it’s disappointing for games to leave Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft is still adding new games at a faster pace then it’s dropping them. Two games leaving Game Pass in January 2020 is less than the four games that left Game Pass in December. Odds are Microsoft will soon be announcing some new additions that will have subscribers forgetting about the departing games in no time.
