Xbox Game Pass Expands Its December Lineup With 3 More Day One Titles

Xbox Game Pass has added three more titles for subscribers to enjoy — A Game About Digging a Hole, Dome Keeper, and the Soulslike Death Howl – two of which were previously released PC games making their console debut. Despite recent price hikes, for many people, Microsoft’s gaming subscription service continues to provide an interesting value proposition, thanks to its regularly evolving catalog of games to choose from. And for those who would still like a solid selection of titles but don’t want to shell out for the top tiers, there is always Xbox Game Pass Essential, which offers more than 50 games to play on PC or console.

Of course, games can’t constantly be added without also taking some away, and at least five titles are confirmed to be leaving Xbox Game Pass in December. Mortal Kombat 11, Still Wakes the Deep, and Wildfrost will be removed on the 16th, and Carrion and Hell Let Loose will disappear from the service on December 31. Of the ones leaving mid-month, both Still Wakes the Deep and Wildfrost offer somewhat compact adventures, with the main story of the former taking only around five hours to beat and the latter taking about 12. So, subscribers who haven’t checked out one or both could still feasibly get at least the main stories completed before they leave Game Pass.

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Xbox Game Pass Subscribers Get 3 More Titles on December 9

On December 9, Xbox Game Pass added three more day-one titles for subscribers to try out. Two of them, Dome Keeper and A Game About Digging a Hole, were already released on PC and were launching on console. As such, they are available to play for Ultimate, PC, and Premium subscribers. The third, Death Howl, launched on all platforms on the 9th and is available for Ultimate and PC subscribers.

Death Howl, by developer The Outer Zone, is an atmospheric Soulslike deck builder in which a hunter named Ro endeavors to bring her son back from the dead. The game features 13 distinct regions to discover and more than 30 enemy types. While players make their way through the spirit world, they will uncover over 160 different cards with which to help the sorrowful Ro succeed in her mission. The game offers approximately 25 hours of gameplay that includes quests, challenges, bosses to defeat, and lore to uncover.

Developer Bippinbits’ roguelike Dome Keeper originally released on PC in late 2022. It was a hit right out of the gate and is currently sitting at a comfortable Very Positive rating on Steam. The award-winning game has a very simple premise. The protagonist is a miner on an alien planet. From the safety of a protective dome, he must dig as quickly as he can and collect as many resources as possible while also fending off waves of alien monsters. The items collected can be used to upgrade the dome for defense and offense, or the player can find relics to power their lift off out of the place.

Funnily, A Game About Digging a Hole has a slightly similar premise. Developed by DoubleBee and released in February 2025, the adventure title takes place in the backyard of a newly purchased house. Like Dome Keeper, players will dig, find resources for upgrades, and perhaps come across a secret or two. Nominated for the Steam Awards 2025’s “Sit Back and Relax” category, A Game About Digging a Hole also currently has a Very Positive overall review rating on that platform.

December still has more to offer for Xbox Game Pass subscribers as well, though much of what’s coming in the latter half of the month hasn’t yet been revealed. However, those disappointed about the removal of Mortal Kombat 11 on December 16 might be gladdened to learn that Mortal Kombat 1 will be joining the subscription service on December 10. Bratz: Rhythm & Style will also be added to the lineup of titles available on Xbox Game Pass on December 11.

Xbox Game Pass: Still to Come in December