Xbox Game Passhas addedBack to the Dawn, a pixel-art prison escape RPG with “Very Positive” reviews on Steam. Developed by the indie studio Metal Head Games,Back to the Dawnoriginally launched in early access on PC in 2023. However, it only recently released the full 1.0 version and hit Xbox Series X/S alongside its debut onXbox Game Pass.
Xbox Game Pass for the Second Half of July 2025
Back to the Dawnis the fourth game in Xbox Game Pass' Wave 2 July lineup. Before this acclaimed indie title,My Friendly Neighborhood,RoboCop: Rogue City, andHigh on Lifehad already been addedto the subscription service.
What makesBack to the Dawna particularly unique game among recent Game Pass titles is its incredibly high replayability. With mechanics like dice-roll RNG and buildcrafting, each playthrough can feel different, uncovering new gameplay angles and bits of lore. The game also features a variety of interesting mini-games that reflect everyday prison life, adding to the story’s immersion.
Back to the Dawnversion 1.0 includes the addition of a secondary protagonist, and players can now pick between two distinct characters: a wrongfully convicted fox named Thomas and a criminal called Bob the Panther, who is caught before his final job. Both characters are trying to escape prison while navigating life among their cellmates, but each offers a unique perspective on prison life with different interactions worth exploring. Fans of prison-break games orpixel-art RPGswith deep mechanics and rich lore are encouraged to check outBack to the Dawnbefore it leaves Game Pass.
