May is packed with activity for Xbox Game Pass , with the first half of the month being particularly intense in terms of new additions. Microsoft is bolstering its subscription service on console, PC, and the cloud with a wave of releases, among which two highly anticipated titles stand out: Forza Horizon 6 and Subnautica 2.
In a matter of days, new titles will be activated for the different subscription tiers (Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Premium), combining day-one releases, early access, and games that will be upgraded within the service itself. The result is a very full month for both those looking for blockbusters and those who prefer independent and experimental offerings.
Key dates: when you can play Forza Horizon 6 and Subnautica 2 with Game Pass
The big news this month on the service is Forza Horizon 6 , the latest installment in Playground Games' open-world racing saga. As Microsoft has detailed, the game will be available on Xbox Game Pass as a day-one release on May 19 , on Xbox Series X|S, PC, compatible mobile devices, and via cloud play for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.
In addition to its launch on the service, the racing game offers early access starting May 15th for those who purchase the premium upgrade pack, granting access a few days before everyone else and additional rewards. This option is designed for the series' most dedicated fans, but standard access is included as part of the subscription at no extra cost.
Meanwhile, Subnautica 2 arrives on the service as one of the month's biggest releases in the survival genre. The sequel to the popular underwater title launches in Game Preview format on May 14 , available on the cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and mobile devices for Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscribers, maintaining the same platform structure as other major releases.
This early access allows players to dive into an evolving alien marine environment while the studio fine-tunes the game's content and balance. Despite its previous run marked by legal issues and some controversy, Subnautica 2 remains one of the most anticipated games in the catalog for the coming months.
Forza Horizon 6: Japan, open world and direct release on Game Pass
Forza Horizon 6 arrives on Xbox Game Pass as the flagship title of May's catalog . Playground Games sets the new installment in Japan , with the city of Tokyo as one of the central locations and a mix of urban landscapes, mountain roads, and rural areas that expand upon the open-world formula that has become the franchise's hallmark.
Among the details revealed by Microsoft are new features related to radio stations and music selection , different performance modes on Xbox Series X|S that prioritize resolution or frame rate, and loyalty bonuses designed for those who have played previous installments. The studio aims to create what could be its most complete title to date, with a clear focus on online play and limited-time events.
The game allows pre-loading on Xbox Series consoles and PC , so subscribers can download all the data in advance and start playing as soon as access opens. This pre-load is available across Europe and Spain simultaneously with the rest of the major territories, maintaining a coordinated global rollout.
In terms of gameplay, Forza Horizon 6 continues to focus on accessible yet deep driving , with a wide variety of vehicles and events, from classic competitions to more arcade-style challenges, all integrated into a persistent map where individual events, cooperative activities, and competitive experiences will coexist.
Subnautica 2: Early Access and Underwater Survival in Game Preview
The other major addition focused on this month's headline is Subnautica 2 , which joins the Xbox Game Pass catalog as one of the strongest contenders in the PC and console ecosystem . The sequel maintains the essence of underwater exploration and survival, but expands the scale and gameplay systems with new biomes, creatures, and building options.
The game launches on May 14 as a Cloud Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and compatible mobile devices, provided you have a Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription. This early access designation means the project is still in active development, but allows users to try out extensive content and provide feedback as it evolves.
Unknown Worlds champions a gameplay approach where leisurely exploration, resource management, and the construction of underwater bases form the core of the experience. Although the studio has been in the media spotlight due to recent legal issues and disputes, Subnautica 2 remains among the most frequently added games to wishlists on platforms like Steam, a trend that also translates to high expectations in the Xbox ecosystem.
The Game Preview format may be especially interesting for players in Spain and Europe who want to closely follow the process of improvement and expansion of content , with regular updates that will add additional biomes, creatures and game systems over the coming months.
Other notable releases accompanying Forza Horizon 6 and Subnautica 2
While the focus this month is clearly on Forza Horizon 6 and Subnautica 2, the first wave of May's Xbox Game Pass releases includes several other significant titles that round out the lineup. In total, 13 games will be added to the service between May 6th and 19th.
On May 7th, Mixtape joins the lineup , a narrative adventure with a strong musical component from the studio behind The Artful Escape. The title will be available from day one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, and can be played in the cloud, on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and mobile devices, making it one of the most exciting indie releases of the month.
In the realm of intense action, DOOM: The Dark Ages will be added to Game Pass Premium on May 14, joining Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The game offers a frenetic campaign with new mechanics and environments compared to previous installments, further strengthening the fast-paced shooter offerings within the catalog.
Other notable titles include Outbound , which focuses on survival with a more relaxed approach and van travel, and Black Jacket and Wildgate , which offer variety with gameplay centered on action, multiplayer, and exploration. All of these games are playable on consoles and PCs, and in many cases, via the cloud.
European games and Spanish presence in the new Game Pass releases
May's list of additions features a significant number of European studios, something especially relevant for audiences in Spain and the rest of Europe . Xbox has highlighted that among the games arriving this month are titles from the UK, the Netherlands, Austria, and Spain , reinforcing the presence of the European scene within the service.
Forza Horizon 6 is being developed by Playground Games , a British studio based in England that is once again leading the way in first-party strategy racing games. Also from the UK comes Elite Dangerous , the veteran space exploration simulator developed by Frontier Developments, which will be added to Game Pass on console and cloud.
From the Netherlands, Descenders Next and Outbound join the service , strengthening the offering of independent titles with adrenaline-focused options and more relaxed travel experiences. In Austria , Mi'pu'mi presents Black Jacket, an adventure with a distinctive aesthetic, which will also be available during the first half of the month.
Special mention goes to Call of the Elder Gods , developed by Madrid-based studio Out of the Blue Games, the creators of Call of the Sea. This title combines narrative, puzzles, and cosmic horror, and will be included from day one in Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Its arrival reinforces the presence of Spanish games in the catalog , an increasingly common aspect of Xbox's strategy in Europe.
Full list of new signings between May 6 and 19
Between console, PC, and cloud gaming, the first wave of May on Xbox Game Pass adds 13 titles, arriving in stages . Many of them were already available on other service tiers and are now also integrated into Game Pass Premium, while others are brand new releases tied to a global launch.
- May 6th
- Ben 10 Power Trip – Console, PC, Cloud – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
- Descenders Next (Game Preview) – Console, PC, Cloud – Game Pass Premium; joins Ultimate and PC Game Pass
- Wheel World – Xbox Series X|S, PC, cloud – Game Pass Premium; also available on Ultimate and PC Game Pass
- Wildgate – Xbox Series X|S, PC, cloud – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
- Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud – Game Pass Premium; added to Ultimate and PC Game Pass
- May 7th
- Mixtape – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, handheld and PC – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass (day one)
- May 11th
- Outbound – Cloud, console and PC – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass (day one)
- May 12th
- Black Jacket – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Laptop and PC – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
- Call of the Elder Gods – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Laptop and PC – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass (Day One)
- Elite Dangerous – Cloud and console – Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium
- May 14th
- DOOM: The Dark Ages – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, laptop and PC – Game Pass Premium; joins Ultimate and PC Game Pass
- Subnautica 2 (Game Preview) – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, handheld and PC – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass (day one)
- May 19th
- Forza Horizon 6 – Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, handheld and PC – Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass (day one)
In addition to these additions, during the first few days of the month, titles such as Final Fantasy V , now available on the cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC for Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass tiers, and inKonbini: One Store. Many Stories , one of last year's standout indie titles, has also joined the Game Pass ecosystem.
Games leaving Xbox Game Pass on May 15
As is the case every month, the arrival of new titles is accompanied by the departure of others. Microsoft has confirmed that five games will no longer be available on Xbox Game Pass in the middle of the month, affecting console, PC, and cloud users alike.
- Galacticare – Cloud, console and PC
- Go Mecha Ball – Cloud, console and PC
- Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo – Cloud, console and PC
- Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship – Cloud, Console and PC
- Planet of Lana – Cloud, Console and PC
All these titles will remain in the catalog until May 15th . Until then, subscribers can continue playing them as normal, and can also take advantage of the usual discount of approximately 20% to purchase them permanently through the Microsoft Store if they wish to keep them after they leave the service.
Price changes and the role of Game Pass in the Xbox ecosystem
Alongside the catalog updates, Microsoft has recently reduced the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass in several territories, aiming to strengthen the service's competitiveness. These changes also affect European markets, including Spain, resulting in a more favorable balance between cost and game offering.
According to unofficial reports, the company is considering a possible internal reorganization of the service to make it more modular and facilitate its integration with other digital products, including platforms like Discord. For now, the structure continues to rely on three main pillars: Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Premium.
The May wave of releases, featuring such significant titles as Forza Horizon 6, Subnautica 2, Mixtape, and DOOM: The Dark Ages, fits perfectly into the strategy of maintaining a steady stream of high-profile premieres alongside independent projects . This reinforces the perceived value for subscribers without requiring any drastic changes to the subscription model in the short term.
For players in Spain and the rest of Europe, the result is a service that brings together in the same month highly anticipated titles, local offerings, and a notable presence of European studios , which helps to make the catalog feel closer and more diverse.
Everything points to this part of May being one of the busiest of the year for Xbox Game Pass: Forza Horizon 6 arrives as a major racing title with a direct release on the subscription service, Subnautica 2 begins its Game Preview phase , and a good number of other titles are added, rounding out the offering with action, narrative, and indie experiences. Added to this are the recent price drops and the possible future reconfiguration of the service, factors that reinforce the feeling that Game Pass remains a central piece of Xbox's strategy for the coming years.
