Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass subscription service is constantly adding new games. From day one releases to older titles, there's always something new to play. But while Microsoft ensures that there is always more games coming to Xbox Game Pass than there are leaving, games are removed from Xbox Game Pass every month as well. December 2021 is no exception, with Microsoft having already removed a handful of games and set to give another five the boot come the end of the month.
Microsoft removed Destiny 2 and its expansions from Xbox Game Pass on December 8, and then Beholder, Guacamelee 2, The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan, Unto the End, Wilmot's Warehouse, and Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair were removed on December 15. Microsoft typically removes games from Xbox Game Pass in two batches - one batch in the middle of the month and one at the end, so fans have only a couple of weeks to play the games being removed on December 31.
Friday, December 31 will be the last day that Xbox Game Pass subscribers can play Pro Evolution Soccer 2021, The Little Acre, Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami 1, and Yakuza Kiwami 2. At that point, all five of those games will be removed. Anyone interested in retaining them for their collection should note that they will be available at a 20% discount for Xbox Game Pass subscribers that don't have time to play through all the games they want before they're removed from the lineup.
Xbox Game Pass Games Leaving December 31
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2021 (Cloud/Console)
- The Little Acre (Cloud/Console)
- Yakuza 0 (Cloud/Console/PC)
- Yakuza Kiwami 1 (Cloud/Console/PC)
- Yakuza Kiwami 2 (Cloud/Console/PC)
Out of all the games leaving Xbox Game Pass in December 2021, the ones that have to hurt the service the most are the Yakuza games. The Yakuza series is admittedly more niche, but it has developed a larger fanbase in recent years thanks to the critical acclaim enjoyed by games like Yakuza 0 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Unfortunately, it will take a significant time investment to get through all three of the Yakuza games leaving on December 31, with gamers looking at 70 to 100 hours or so if they want to beat them all.
Those who want to play games in release order are going to be in even worse luck, as Yakuza Kiwami 0 didn't come out until after Yakuza 5. As for the other Yakuza games, it seems Xbox Game Pass subscribers don't have to worry about Yakuza 3, 4, 5, 6, or Like a Dragon leaving Xbox Game Pass yet, so if they don't mind playing games "out of order" (chronologically, Yakuza 0 is the "first" game in the series anyway) then they can focus on the three leaving and worry about the rest later.