Xbox Game Pass Will Remove Carrion On December 31

Carrion, developed by Phobia and published by Devolver Digital, is a metroidvania-style indie game in which players control the monster rather than humans. The game is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC through the Premium tier of Game Pass, including Ultimate. Essential tier members do not have access.

The game positions players as the antagonist in a “reverse horror” scenario, navigating a secret facility while growing and gaining abilities that open new areas. The gameplay encourages exploration and revisiting locations as new powers become available. Puzzles and combat combine with the narrative inversion to create a concise, intense experience. According to HowLongToBeat, completing the main campaign takes under five hours.

Screen Rant rated Carrion 10 out of 10, highlighting its design, mechanics, and the unique perspective it offers. The review noted that the game’s blend of puzzle-solving, platforming, and horror elements delivers a compact but compelling experience.

Microsoft’s Game Pass service updates its catalog monthly, adding new titles and retiring others. In 2025, the service added nearly 300 games and implemented a tiered subscription system. Despite the volume of new titles, departures like Carrion remain notable due to their critical acclaim and popularity among the community.

Subscribers who have not yet played Carrion are advised to prioritize it before the removal date. The game’s short duration makes it feasible to complete within the remaining days of the month, allowing players to experience its full story and mechanics before it exits the catalog.

The removal reflects Game Pass’s broader strategy of rotating titles to maintain variety and engagement. While many additions continue to expand the library, each departure draws attention to high-performing or standout games. Carrion exemplifies this trend, representing both a critical success and a brief window for players to engage with the content.

Microsoft maintains clear communication about catalog changes, enabling players to plan their playtime around the additions and removals. Game Pass members can monitor monthly updates to track upcoming departures and prioritize access to games before they leave the service.