Halo Infinite, Stardew Valley, Among Us, and more join Xbox Game Pass in December

Xbox Game Pass December 2021
Xbox Game Pass December 2021 (Image credit: Xbox)

What you need to know

  • We're nearing the end of 2021, and Xbox Game Pass is joining the festivities with a fresh batch of game additions.
  • The first few weeks of Dec. 2021 are absolutely packed with new games joining Xbox Game Pass, with some high-profile releases.
  • Halo Infinite fully releases into Xbox Game Pass, and is one of the biggest Xbox game launches of the year.
  • Indie hits Stardew Valley and Among Us are also joining Xbox Game Pass, along with several more awesome titles.

2021 is finally drawing to a close, an eventful year filled with excellent video games and Xbox Game Pass additions. As we enter December, Xbox has unveiled the list of games heading to Xbox Game Pass in the next few weeks, highlighting the service's intention to end the year with a bang. A dozen new games join Xbox Game Pass just in the first half of December, some of which are long-awaited titles with huge followings.

The flagship game in this batch of Xbox Game Pass entries is undoubtedly Halo Infinite, which follows its early multiplayer beta release with a full official launch on Dec. 8, 2021, including the entirety of its single-player campaign. Halo Infinite is one of the biggest game launches of 2021, and has already enjoyed plenty of success with the arrival of its free-to-play multiplayer.

Elsewhere, Xbox Game Pass subscribers will also be able to jump into indie gems like Stardew Valley, Among Us (which is finally releasing on Xbox, and is coming to Xbox Cloud Gaming soon), and Aliens: Fireteam Elite. There is a lot to look forward to in the next few weeks, with several of these games capable of joining the best Xbox Game Pass games you can play.

The games listed here can head anywhere Xbox Game Pass is available, including Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Because of the sheer volume of titles, it can be hard to keep track of all the games coming to and leaving from Xbox Game Pass.

Here are the games coming to and leaving from Xbox Game Pass in Dec. 2021.

Coming soon

You can check out all the titles coming soon to Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud gaming below:

ANVIL: Vault Breaker (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, & PC) — Dec. 2

Ancient Vault Investigation Lab (ANVIL) is an agency that searches for the remnants of alien civilizations scattered throughout the universe. As a Breaker, you'll seek out and explore the unknown galaxy searching for these ancient alien vaults. Each galaxy consists of random planets and unique boss monsters. Defeating them and opening these vaults, you'll be able to utilize the stunning powers hidden within.

Archvale (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC) — Dec. 2

Dive into a bullet hell with RPG elements where you'll master weapons and skills needed to overcome the diverse enemies that await you throughout an ever-changing world. Only by conquering these evil forces will you uncover the truth about the long-fabled Archvale.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & PC) — Dec. 2

Enjoy the epic and sweeping story in this follow-up to Final Fantasy XIII. Meet new characters and test yourself with a new, enhanced battle system. It's no longer about facing destiny; it's time to create a new future and change the world!

Lawn Mowing Simulator (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC) — Dec. 2

Take a break from the real world and enjoy the challenge and serenity of mowing the Great British countryside in Lawn Mowing Simulator.

Rubber Bandits (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC) — Dec. 2

A wild multiplayer party, Rubber Bandits is a beat 'em up brawler where you steal, smash, and scavenge as much cash as you can! Prepare for hilarious physics-based combat with wacky weapons and a huge lineup of criminal characters. Dodge deadly traps, bash rival bandits, and race from the cops to commit the perfect heist!

Stardew Valley (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC) — Dec. 2

You've inherited your grandfather's old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home?

Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC) — Dec. 2

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. Experience every bone-rattling explosion and soul-crushing charge in Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector, the definitive battle-scale game of turn-based strategy and fast-paced combat that takes you to the battlefields of the 41st Millenium.

Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC) — Dec. 7

Buy, sell, and trade organs in a strange universe full of clients. Keep vampire-leech organs from devouring the goods inside your cargo hold, teach Fleshty the Snowman to love, and more. The quivering innards of alien capitalism await in the sci-fi body horror market tycoon game you didn't know you needed.

Halo Infinite (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC) — Dec. 8

When all hope is lost and humanity's fate hangs in the balance, Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he's ever faced. Begin anew and step inside the armor of humanity's greatest hero to experience an epic adventure and finally explore the scale of the Halo ring itself. Jump into the free-to-play Halo Infinite multiplayer beta today and enjoy all Season 1: Heroes of Reach has to offer – plus all your progress will carry over into the full Halo Infinite launch on Dec. 8.

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC) — Dec. 9

Ahoy, pirates! Fight hordes of enemies, adventure with trusted allies, and experience awesome One Piece action lifted straight from the anime in One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4! Place yourself in the thick of the One Piece world with as buildings come crashing down around you and attacks throw up smoke and dust with each action on the battlefield.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite (Xbox Series X|S Optimized, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC) — Dec. 14

Set in the iconic Alien universe, Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a cooperative third-person survival shooter that drops your fireteam of hardened marines into a desperate fight to contain the evolving Xenomorph threat.

Among Us (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One & PC) — Dec. 14

Play with 4-15 players online or via local Wi-Fi as you attempt to prepare your spaceship for departure. But beware, as one or more random players among the crew are Impostors bent on killing everyone! Stay tuned for the upcoming addition to Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta)!

Leaving soon

You can check out all the titles leaving soon from Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming below:

Dec. 15

  • Beholder (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & Xbox Cloud Gaming)
  • The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man Of Medan (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, & PC)
  • Guacamelee! 2 (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC)
  • Wilmot's Warehouse (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC)
  • Unto The End (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC)
  • Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair (Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, & PC)
Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.