Xbox Game Pass is continuing to prove itself to be a massive value in the world of gaming. Whether it be the growing library of first-party titles after huge acquisitions, Xbox Cloud Gaming, or constant deals to bring new games to the service on day one, Xbox Game Pass feels like a constant win for everyone involved. The month of August is a big month for Xbox Game Pass, too. There are some heavy hitters coming to the service, along with lesser-known but still beloved titles.
The month is set to end with a bang thanks to games like 12 Minutes and Psychonauts 2. However, things are spread out quite nicely, with Hades right smack in the middle of August and the beginning of the month being a smorgasbord of choices. This month, it seems like Xbox Game Pass is aiming for both quantity and quality.
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The Curse of the Dead Gods and the crossover update with Dead Cells may be one of the first games that Xbox Game Pass users will want to try with the new batch of games. Curse of the Dead Gods originally released in February of this year as a roguelike developed by Passtech Games and published by Focus Home Interactive. The Dead Cells update itself brings new weapons based on the popular roguelike. The title is available on August 5, 2021, on Xbox consoles, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and PC.
Dodgeball Academia is also releasing on August 5 for consoles, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and PC. While not quite as well known as Knockout City and its just-released Season 2, Dodgeball Academia has the chance to catch on with many. The game is actually a sports RPG that sees players dominating the courts with Otto and a cast of characters, which perhaps is more comparable to a title like Golf Story. Additionally, Dodgeball Academia is a day one Xbox Game Pass title, so it is a nice get for Microsoft.
One of the oddest games to release this month is Katamari Damacy REROLL. There simply are not many games about pushing a giant ball of destroyed junk together for the King of the Cosmos. Katamari Damacy REROLL released on consoles in the past, which brought back the nostalgia of the classic PS2 game. But now players will be able to enjoy the title for "free" with an Xbox Game Pass subscription on August 5 for consoles, Cloud, and PC.
An HD remake of a beloved PSP game, Lumines Remastered arrived on August 5 on Xbox consoles, the Cloud, and on PC. The atmospheric and addictive puzzle game utilizes music and lights to put the player in a trance. Meanwhile, the gameplay itself is a unique take on the block-dropping mechanic.
Two Skate games were released on August 5 for Xbox Game Pass users, but through different platforms. Console players are able to download and enjoy the original Skate from 2007 through EA Play. Meanwhile, 2010's Skate 3 was made available on August 5 as well, but for Xbox Cloud Gaming users to stream. It is interesting that the two games are being made available in different ways, and it also means that Skate 2 is left out of the picture for now.
Starmancer is a construction simulator with management elements. The game is available now on the PC through Xbox Game Pass, but specifically through Game Preview. It is interesting to see a game come through the subscription service as a Game Preview title, especially a non-first-party one. There are quite a few intriguing PC games that are soon releasing or that have just been released, and Starmancer is certainly on that list. It is a great get for Xbox that the title is available through Xbox Game Pass.
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Many racing titles focus on realistic graphics, as long as it is not a kart-racer. In the case of the indie-racing title Art of the Rally, the game shifts in a different direction. While the game allows players to race in real-world locations in iconic vehicles from the '60s, the gorgeous colorful art style sets the game apart. Art of Rally will be available on consoles, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and PC on August 12.
As far as high-profile games go, Hades is perhaps the biggest game on the list. Hades was a massive title in 2020 and even took home some awards last year. As much success as the dungeon-crawling rouge-like had, Hades' release on Xbox Game Pass is another huge win for the game, its developer Supergiant Games, and Xbox itself. With the game having made such a name for itself, it is likely that plenty of Xbox players will try the title out when it releases on consoles, the Cloud, and PC on August 13.
Plenty of people have played at least a round of Microsoft Solitaire Collection, if not a few hundred. Now Microsoft Solitaire Collection: Premium Edition is coming to PC on August 17, complete with daily challenges, events, Xbox achievements, and more. While perhaps not as exciting at first glance as a game like Hades or Dodgeball Academia, there could certainly be a plethora of Xbox gamers who enjoy sitting back and enjoying a game of cards.
While not quite as well-known as some of the other games, Recompile may be one of the more exciting day-one Xbox Game Pass titles for the month of August. The game has an incredibly unique visual aesthetic to it that the Xbox Series X might truly be able to take advantage of. Meanwhile, there are not too many Metroidvania titles available on Xbox, so Recompile will check that box as well when it launches on August 19.
As far as pure intrigue is concerned, there are not many games that have drawn up as much interest as Annapurna Interactive's 12 Minutes. The idea of replaying an emotional and perplexing loop in an attempt to uncover a mystery is very unique. Based on the previews for 12 Minutes, thus far it seems like it is not disappointing. When the game releases on August 19 for Xbox consoles, the Cloud, and PC, there will likely be plenty of conversation around what exactly happened in those heart-pounding 12 minutes.
The wait for Psychonauts 2 has been excruciatingly long. The original was released in 2005, and fans of the cult-classic have wanted a follow-up ever since. The development of the game has been tumultuous, as there were times where Psychonauts 2 looked like it would never happen. Fans have seen Psychonauts 2 go through a lot since it was confirmed to be in development back in 2015, but they will finally be able to play the game through Xbox Game Pass on consoles, Cloud, and PC come August 25.
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