Final Fantasy XIII is coming to Xbox Game Pass, while Red Dead Online is leaving

By Emily Morrow September 1, 2021

Microsoft revealed the first batch of games coming to Xbox Game Pass in September. The biggest title is Final Fantasy XIII, one of the most divisive entries in the series to date. Beyond Square Enix’s RPG, indie darling Signs of the Sojourner will also be available alongside a number of other indies. As usual, a few big names are also leaving the service this month, including Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten and Red Dead Online.

Game Pass subscribers will be able to play Final Fantasy XIII in its entirety starting tomorrow, September 2. The game features the active time battle system that Final Fantasy fans have come to know and love, and it looks absolutely gorgeous. The game is number 13 on our list of the best Final Fantasy games. While it won’t be available on Game Pass’ cloud service for mobile play, subscribers will be able to play it on both console and PC.

The other games coming to Game Pass this month are Signs of the Sojourner, a card game about forging relationships with people amid a climate crisis; Craftopia, a combination life and farming sim; Surgeon Simulator 2, a zany 4-player medical sim with community-made levels; Crown Trick, a retro-style roguelike with Hades vibes; Breathedge, a retrofuturistic survival game; Nuclear Throne, a top-down roguelike shooter in an irradiated wasteland; and The Artful Escape, a music-themed adventure game from Annapurna Interactive. Game Pass subscribers can also claim a Sarge weapon charm in Apex Legends and an item bonus in Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis.

On the flip side, Read Dead Online will be leaving Game Pass on September 13, while Disgaea 4 and Company of Heroes 2 will be leaving on September 15. Forza Motorsport 7 will also be leaving on September 15, and it will also no longer be sold in stores.

For a complete list of the games coming to and leaving Game Pass this month, check out the Xbox Blog.

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Emily Morrow is a games journalist and narrative designer who has written for a variety of online publications. If she’s…

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When will Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth be on PC?

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PlayStation 5 players have been raving about the second part of the FF7 remake project Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. As with the first part, it was made clear well in advance that this game would be a PlayStation exclusive at launch, however, we did eventually get Remake of the first part on PC around a year later. This gives PC players hope that the same treatment will be given to Rebirth, but the big question becomes how long will we have to wait this time? Is it possible to see it come to PC storefronts faster than its prequel, or will we need to bide our time avoiding spoilers for months on end? Here's our best estimate as to when you can expect to see Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on PC.
What is the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth PC release date?

The sad fact of the matter is we don't have an official release date for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on PC or any other platform at this time. But there is reason to at least hope that the wait won't be as long this time around. Our only clue is that the marketing for Rebirth states that it is a PlayStation 5 exclusive until at least May 29, 2024. That's exactly three months after its initial release.

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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: all piano sheet music locations and rewards

Cloud playing the piano in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

While there's no shortage of ways to distract yourself while playing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, one of the most unexpected minigames is the surprisingly deep piano system. In most of the major hub towns you encounter across the expansive world, Cloud can find a piano to sit down at and tickle the keys. You're free to play any song you want in free play, but you can turn this system into a full-on rhythm game, almost like Guitar Hero, by collecting sheet music of some of the game's most iconic tracks. There's even an NPC near each piano who will reward you if you get a high enough rank on each song. Cloud may not be the most expressive in his words, but he can sure play the piano with heart. Here is where you can find all the sheet music and what rewards await if you can master them.
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On Our Way
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Tifa's Theme
After a rather exciting cruise to Costa del Sol in Chapter 6, you can add this piece to your collection by making a quick stop at the fancy Royal Crown Hotel.
Barret's Theme
Not much further into the game in Chapter 7 you will visit Barret's old hometown of Corel. The Rock Bottom Bar is waiting with his song.
Cinco de Chocobo
Chapter 9 takes you through the town of Gongaga. Even a town way out in the forest has a piano, which means yet another song to snag.
Two Legs? Nothin' to it
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Aerith's Theme
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Let the Battles Begin!
Once you prove your skills and get an A rank or better on all prior songs, you will get this new one as a reward from the NPC Dorian next to all pianos.
One-Winged Angel
We're not sure if fighting Sephiroth or getting this song is harder. If you want to play this terrifying arrangement, you need to donate all 88 Treasure Trove items to Johnny. This more or less requires you to 100% the entire game
All song rewards
For every song you A rank, Dorian will give you a prize when you talk to him. Here's everything you can get:

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Barret talking to Dyne in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

This article contains story spoilers for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Ahead of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's launch, fans were buzzing about how the sequel would tackle Aerith's story. The holy healer was a major focus of Square Enix's marketing, making it clear that one of gaming's most iconic moments would be pivotal to the adventure. But for me, I was more curious about how another tragedy would play out: the tale of Barret and Dyne.