Microsoft has confirmed the subsequent batch of video games set to go away Xbox Game Pass, and one in specific has induced a level of frustration with subscribers: Stalker 2.
GSC Game World’s Stalker 2 launched as an Xbox console unique final yr alongside backing from Microsoft. Whereas it isn’t an Xbox Game Studios-published online game, Microsoft performed a key function in its advertising forward of its much-delayed launch date in November 2024. It even labored with the Ukrainian studio on a 90-minute documentary that exposed the issue the builders confronted constructing the sport amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.
As confirmed by the Xbox app, Stalker 2 is about to go away Game Pass on November 16, 2025, alongside 4 different video games detailed under.
Video games set to go away Xbox Game Pass on November 16, 2025:
It’s Stalker 2’s exit that has induced essentially the most kerfuffle, with some Game Pass subscribers criticizing the transfer a yr after launch, and simply forward of the sport’s launch on PlayStation 5 on November 20.
“Microsoft backed GSC by way of all of the delays and even the invasion, so it’s shocking they weren’t ready to safe a greater deal,” said redditor JBishie. “I believe it’s a matter of precept: the sport was incomplete at launch and is barely now beginning to resemble a completed product, but it’s being faraway from the service simply because the 1.7 replace approaches, and with the PS5 launch developing, the timing seems to be particularly poor.”
Certainly, the actual fact Stalker 2 launched first on Xbox and PC with fairly just a few issues, that are solely now ironed out in time for the PS5 launch, is being highlighted by those that consider the sport ought to stay on Game Pass for some time longer.
“It has been a yr, which is a fairly customary time for non MiS video games,” said VickyCriesALot. “I am unsure why that is such a shock to individuals prefer it’s unprecedented. Lmao.”
“As a result of the sport simply obtained to an honest state in that yr’s time?” (*2*). “It’s going to take one other yr to get the whole lot sorted, not even speaking about DLC but. It has been in early entry not a completed product so now’s a good time to rip it off the service.”
“I believe it’s a very dangerous precedent {that a} recreation stays shorter in Game Pass than we had to watch for it to launch, past ready MONTHS to develop into correctly playable patch after patch,” complained X / Twitter user @ZakkenKloot.
“It is dangerous that Stalker goes,” added @Matty_Cs_World. “It was good however principally launched very buggy. I do not like {that a} premium subscription is simply used as a beta testing space for devs. I did need to return to the sport. However I assume that ship has sailed.”
Xbox Video games Sequence Tier Listing
Xbox Video games Sequence Tier Listing
“Xbox has to cease funding unfinished early entry video games basically for Game Pass day one titles,” said Minute-Use-8489. “Two video games that come to thoughts Stalker 2 & Payday 3 got here out very unfinished and took a yr for them to repair and replace every recreation than as soon as their good to play they get faraway from Game Pass appears like a rip-off to the subscribers imo.”
It’s price noting many of the video games on this record can be found with a reduction of at the least 20% till they go away Xbox Game Pass in early November.
It doesn’t assist that Microsoft just lately sparked a major backlash by mountaineering the value of Game Pass. Within the case of Final, it went up a whopping 50% to $29.99 a month. That quantities to an additional $120 a yr. To justify the value hike, Microsoft upped the variety of day one releases per yr to 75, and added Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics for the primary time ever. There have been additionally upgrades to Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming high quality.
As for Stalker 2 on PS5, it launches on Sony’s console with full help for the DualSense controller’s options, together with haptic suggestions and adaptive triggers. Additional technical enhancements for the PS5 Professional are additionally in improvement.
Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You may attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.