Key Takeaways
- Xbox Game Pass added two new games on November 11, 2026: Hope in the City and Thronefall.
- Hope in the City is a day-one release available with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
- Thronefall joins Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass alongside its Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 debut.
- Thronefall originally launched in PC Early Access in August 2023 before receiving its full release on PC and Nintendo Switch in October 2024.
- Thronefall currently holds an 86/100 OpenCritic average, with all nine tracked critics recommending it.
- John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is also scheduled for November 12, while eight additional games are coming to Game Pass Essential on November 15.
Xbox Game Pass has received another couple of additions in November, giving subscribers two different games to check out this week. The latest update introduces a critically acclaimed strategy game that originally launched on PC in 2023, alongside a brand-new mystery adventure arriving on the subscription service on its release day.
The two additions are Thronefall and Hope in the City, both of which became available on November 11, 2026. While the former has already established itself as a popular strategy game across PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile platforms, Hope in the City is a completely new release from Canadian developer Lofty Sky Games.
Interestingly, the two titles aren’t available through exactly the same Game Pass subscriptions. Hope in the City is included with Ultimate and PC Game Pass, while Thronefall is also available to Premium members. Their arrival brings the November catalog’s new-title tally to 11 in the count used for this update, although Microsoft’s schedule includes further releases throughout the month.
Hope in the City Is the Latest Day-One Addition to Xbox Game Pass
Developed by Lofty Sky Games and published alongside NAGA Games, Hope in the City is a narrative mystery adventure set in Shenyang, China. Players take control of 17-year-old Hope Song, an aspiring artist whose life changes after she returns home to discover that her apartment has been ransacked and both of her parents have mysteriously disappeared.
Unlike traditional detective games, Hope doesn’t have access to professional investigative equipment or the authority to question suspects. Instead, she relies on her artistic abilities and a sketchbook to investigate the disappearance.
As players explore the city, they can speak with residents, examine their surroundings, and record suspicious observations through drawings and notes. The interesting part is how the game handles deductions. Players can combine different observations in Hope’s notebook to discover connections between seemingly unrelated details.
Successful combinations create new insights and breakthroughs, which can unlock additional dialogue options, locations, and investigative leads. This means players aren’t simply collecting clues and waiting for the game to explain everything. They must actively think about how different discoveries might be connected.
The developers have also incorporated more than 100 hand-drawn illustrations into Hope’s sketchbook, helping establish the protagonist’s artistic personality throughout the investigation.
Hope in the City officially launched on November 11 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Steam. Its day-one arrival makes it another new release available to Game Pass subscribers without purchasing the game separately.
The game is currently available through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Players interested in its investigation mechanics can also read the official Xbox Wire feature explaining how Hope uses her sketchbook to solve the mystery.
Thronefall Brings Its Minimalist Strategy Gameplay to Xbox Game Pass
The second addition is Thronefall, a minimalist strategy game developed by Grizzly Games and published by Mythwright. Although it is technically a new Xbox release, the game has been available on other platforms for quite some time.
Thronefall originally entered PC Early Access in August 2023 before receiving its full release on PC and Nintendo Switch in October 2024. It subsequently expanded to iOS and Android devices in 2025, and November 11, 2026, finally marked its arrival on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.
The game’s main attraction is its combination of kingdom management and tower defense. Players begin with a small settlement and must gradually develop it into a functioning kingdom capable of surviving increasingly dangerous attacks.
Gameplay is divided into two distinct phases:
- Build by Day: Players construct houses, mills, defensive structures, and other buildings while managing their economy and preparing for incoming attacks.
- Defend by Night: Enemy forces launch increasingly difficult assaults, requiring players to command their troops and participate directly in combat to protect their kingdom.
Unlike traditional real-time strategy games, Thronefall deliberately removes many complicated systems. Players don’t have to manage enormous armies, navigate complicated technology trees, or spend hours learning dozens of different mechanics before understanding the basics.
Instead, the game focuses on making every building decision meaningful. Spending gold on additional defenses might help survive the next attack, but investing in the economy could provide more resources for future upgrades. Finding the right balance is what makes each run enjoyable.
The game also includes unlockable weapons, perks, different maps, and challenges that provide plenty of replay value. Players can personally join battles rather than simply watching their troops fight, adding another layer to the otherwise minimalist strategy formula.
Thronefall Is One of the Best-Reviewed Strategy Games in Its Category
Although Thronefall initially attracted attention as a relatively small indie release, its reception among critics and players has been particularly strong.
As of November 12, 2026, the game holds an 86/100 OpenCritic average, with all nine currently tracked critics recommending it. It also carries OpenCritic’s Mighty rating.
Player reception has been similarly positive. Its Steam listing currently holds an Overwhelmingly Positive rating, with approximately 96% positive reviews from more than 24,000 users.
Critics have particularly praised the game’s ability to simplify traditional strategy mechanics without sacrificing meaningful decision-making. Its relatively short sessions, charming presentation, and addictive day-and-night gameplay loop make it an accessible option even for players who don’t normally spend much time with strategy games.
Thronefall’s latest arrival is especially interesting because it also includes the game’s first major expansion, Craaghelm, which launches alongside the new console versions. The expansion introduces a dwarven kingdom, additional maps, new enemies, weapons, perks, and other content.
Xbox Game Pass members can access the base game through:
- Game Pass Ultimate
- Game Pass Premium
- PC Game Pass
Thronefall supports Cloud Gaming, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and compatible handheld devices. The PlayStation 5 version is also available separately for players outside Microsoft’s subscription ecosystem.
Xbox Game Pass November 2026 Lineup Continues to Expand
The arrival of Hope in the City and Thronefall follows several other additions earlier in November. Microsoft has already introduced a mixture of day-one releases, new console versions, and games expanding to additional Game Pass subscription tiers.
Some of the notable November additions include:
- November 3: Football Manager 27 PC Early Access and Pit of Goblin.
- November 4: VOID/BREAKER Version 1.0 and Vampire Crawlers joining Game Pass Premium.
- November 5: Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School and Firefighting Simulator: Ignite.
- November 10: Football Manager 27 Console, Warhammer Survivors, and Tanuki: Pon’s Summer.
- November 11: Hope in the City and Thronefall.
- November 12: John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando.
There are also more games scheduled to arrive during the second half of November. Aphelion and Paw Patrol: Dino World are both listed for November 17, while Microsoft’s schedule also includes additional subscription benefits and updates throughout the month.
One particularly notable change is coming to Game Pass Essential on November 15. Microsoft has confirmed that eight additional games will join the entry-level subscription tier:
- Banjo-Kazooie
- Banjo-Tooie
- Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
- Gears of War: Judgment
- Halo: Spartan Assault
- Perfect Dark
- Viva Piñata
- Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise
Unfortunately, November will also see several games leave the subscription service. Microsoft has confirmed that 13 titles are scheduled to depart on November 15, including Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, 1000xResist, Moonlighter, Wreckfest, Winter Burrow, and GoldenEye 007.
Subscribers interested in any of these departing games should consider playing them before the removal date or purchasing them while the Game Pass member discount is available.
Hope in the City and Thronefall Give Game Pass Subscribers Two Very Different Experiences
The latest Game Pass additions are interesting because they offer two completely different types of gameplay. Hope in the City is aimed at players who enjoy narrative adventures, mysteries, and solving puzzles through observation, while Thronefall is a more action-oriented strategy experience built around resource management and defending a growing kingdom.
Both games also demonstrate the variety of releases Microsoft continues to bring to its subscription service. While major AAA releases often attract most of the attention, smaller projects such as these can provide some of the more memorable experiences in a Game Pass library.
Thronefall is particularly worth checking out for strategy fans who haven’t played its original PC or mobile versions. Meanwhile, Hope in the City offers something different for players looking for a story-driven mystery rather than another conventional action game.
With John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando arriving on November 12 and additional titles scheduled for later in the month, Xbox Game Pass subscribers still have plenty to look forward to before November ends.
The complete schedule and subscription availability can be found in Microsoft’s official November 2026 Xbox Game Pass announcement.
