The superb Case of the Golden Idol joins Game Pass in July

Microsoft has revealed what’s coming to Game Pass during the first half of July and, while absent any big-hitters, the lineup features at least four really excellent indie games that will be well worth your time during this relative dry spell for big releases.

Polygon’s favorite of the lot is probably The Case of the Golden Idol, joining Game Pass on July 9: a hilarious, macabre point-and-click detective mystery set in the 18th century, with an illustration style you’ll never forget. It’s also an excellent puzzle game with perhaps the most satisfying murder-mystery detection mechanics in any video game.

But it’s far from being the only worthwhile pick here. Tchia (joining July 11) is a joyful, Zelda-influenced open-world exploration game set in a version of the beautiful Pacific island nation of New Caledonia. If you fancy something a little less sedate, may we direct you toward Neon White (also July 11), a fast-paced, first-person, anime-style action game about slaying demons. It’s a speedrunners’ delight, with a perfect difficulty curve, and you might find your friends’ leaderboard gets pretty competitive.

Also of note: Flock is a new release coming to Game Pass on day one on July 16. This chill multiplayer game about the joy of flight isn’t out yet, but what we’ve seen is very promising indeed.

Here’s everything coming to Game Pass over the next couple of weeks.

New games on Game Pass in July

• Journey to the Savage Planet — July 3 (cloud, console, and PC)
• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 — July 3 (cloud, console, and PC)
• Cricket 24 — July 9 (cloud, console, and PC)
• The Case of the Golden Idol — July 9 (cloud, console, and PC)
• Neon White — July 11 (cloud, console, and PC)
• Tchia — July 11 (cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X)
• Magical Delicacy — July 16 (cloud, console, and PC)
• Flock — July 16 (cloud, console, and PC)

As ever, we must say farewell to a few games, too. The following titles are all leaving the catalog on July 15.

Games leaving Game Pass on July 15

• Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly (cloud, console, and PC)
• Figment 2: Creed Valley (cloud, console, and PC)
• Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion (PC)
• TOEM (cloud, console, and PC)
• The Wandering Village (cloud, console, and PC)