The end of August also means the end of the tenor of several games currently on Xbox Game Pass. The service continues to be one of the best investments in gaming with Phil Spencer teasing some big upcoming Game Pass announcements, but some heavy hitters are leaving the service making way for some new additions.
As of today the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, which includes both Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance and Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, leaves the service along with Metro: Last Light Redux, Creature in the Well, and The Jackbox Party Pack 3. 2K’s NBA 2K20 leaves the service September 1st while Rockstar Game’s Red Dead Redemption 2, which recently received an new online update, leaves Game Pass on September 7th. Those not finished with any of the games leaving the service can still purchase them on the Xbox marketplace with some of the games currently on sale with discounts related to Gamescom.
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Meanwhile Microsoft continues to expand the Game Pass line up adding some heavy hitters. Recently, Final Fantasy 7 finally made its way to Game Pass, being part of a major push for the franchise on the Xbox. A vast majority of the Final Fantasy series was made available via Game Pass starting last year a long with a host of many other Square Enix titles. Final Fantasy 7 joins the likes of Microsoft Flight Simulator, Battletoads, and Resident Evil 7, which makes its way to Game Pass as part of the September line up.
On top of the Game Pass additions, a new slew of games are being added to Xbox Games with Gold this September. Gold Subscribers will be able to download Ubisoft’s online multiplayer shooter, The Division, for free starting September 1st, while the point-and-click adventure game, The Book of Unwritten Tales 2, will be available on the service starting September 16 on Xbox One.
Those who subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate for PC and Xbox One are now currently able to stream the limited beta of xCloud, Microsoft’s game streaming service, before its official launch in September. xCloud is being touted as a key pillar to Microsoft’s current strategy allowing Microsoft games to be playable everywhere. The play anywhere push has led to some confusion regarding the upcoming release of Halo Infinite, which was rumored to have had the Xbox One version cancelled. The rumors were quickly shut down by developer 343 Industries, stating the Xbox One version is still indeed in development.