The Game Pass library is undergoing a massive, multi-faceted upgrade this week, catering to every kind of player imaginable with a host of new games becoming available to play.
From a punishingly beautiful indie platformer and a deep sci-fi RPG to tactical mech combat and a return to the roots of a legendary assassin franchise, there’s an embarrassment of riches to dive into.
Let’s break down this phenomenal wave of new additions to Game Pass for the coming week, looking at the new adventures arriving on the scene.
Rain World (Cloud, Console, and PC) – August 5th
Prepare for a challenging yet utterly captivating experience with Rain World.
You play as a nomadic slugcat, separated from your family and thrust into a sprawling, post-apocalyptic ecosystem filled with both beauty and peril. This isn’t a game that holds your hand; survival is a brutal, trial-and-error process where every encounter is a high-stakes affair. The world feels alive, with predators and prey acting on their own simulated intelligence, making every journey a unique and tense adventure.
As our 4/5 review noted, “Rain World does have a danger of being dismissed out of hand… But exploring this world and experiencing the adventure of your beloved slugcat is, ultimately, rather amazing. A lengthy game with a host of hours of play behind it, Rain World will give you the opportunity to experience a world of wonder, danger, and slugcats.“
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (Xbox Series X|S) – August 6th
The highly anticipated sequel to one of 2022’s most acclaimed RPGs has arrived on Game Pass Standard!
In Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, you are a Sleeper – an artificial body housing an emulated human mind – on the run from the corporation that made you.
This RPG puts you in command of a ship and crew, taking on challenging contracts across the Starward Belt in a complex, tabletop-inspired world. You’ll manage stress, deal with glitches, and utilise a new “Push” ability, all while making difficult choices that will shape your future.
Grab a download from the Xbox Store today – this one is sure to satisfy both fans and newcomers alike.
Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders (Xbox Series X|S) – August 6th
Switch your dirt bike for a snowboard and get ready to shred in Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders.
The latest installment in the beloved Lonely Mountains series brings the same core gameplay loop of challenging downhill descents, but with a fresh coat of snow.
Tackle meticulously crafted courses, perform breathtaking tricks, and master the new sport of snowboarding with its own distinct physics and feel. With a host of hours of content, an amazing art style, and a great soundtrack, this is a brilliant new adventure. And for the first time, you’ll be able to team up with friends in some multiplayer madness to compete in your descent.
Our 4.5/5 review enthusiastically declared, “More of the same, but brilliantly different, is probably the best way of summing up Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders… if you need some multiplayer madness to complement things, you’ll be well catered for.“
We LOVE Snow Riders!
MechWarrior 5: Clans (Xbox Series X|S) – August 6th
Get ready to command a powerful BattleMech in MechWarrior 5: Clans, a rewarding and deeply strategic mech combat experience.
This isn’t a game for the faint of heart; it’s a departure from fast-paced action titles, demanding tactical thinking and careful resource management. Dive into the complex lore of the Clan invasion, pilot a variety of heavily armed mechs, and engage in methodical, high-stakes battles.
The game’s steep learning curve is a feature, not a bug, encouraging players to master its intricacies for a truly immersive and satisfying experience.
As our 4/5 review of Clans covered, “Despite its complexity and challenging learning curve, MechWarrior 5: Clans is a rewarding and engaging experience. It demands tactical thinking and careful resource management, offering a refreshing departure from more action-oriented mech games.“
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (Xbox Series X|S) – August 6th
The horde is back, and you must stand and fight!
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap combines chaotic third-person combat with devious trap-laying strategy. Defend the rift from relentless waves of orcs and other grotesque beasts, using a deadly arsenal of weapons and cunning traps. This new entry in the series amps up the chaos with four-player co-op, deeper progression systems, roguelite build options, and massive outdoor fantasy environments.
Get ready to unleash ridiculous physics-based destruction and ridiculous ragdoll effects, all while enjoying the classic humour and charm of the Orcs Must Die! franchise.
Assassin’s Creed Mirage (Cloud, Console, and PC) – August 7th
The Assassin’s Creed franchise is returning to its roots with Assassin’s Creed Mirage, a more focused and compact adventure that hearkens back to the series’ early days.
Step into the shoes of a street thief who rises to become a Master Assassin. The game takes you to the sprawling city of Baghdad, offering a tight, narrative-driven experience with a strong emphasis on stealth, parkour, and assassinations.
This is a game for fans of old-school Assassin’s Creed, who prefer a condensed, story-driven journey over a sprawling hundred-hour odyssey.
Our 4/5 review affirmed this, stating, “If you’re a fan of old-school Assassin’s Creed, you’ll love what has come about in Mirage, what with the more compact story that is told.“
Departures on the Horizon
Sadly, as we welcome new games, a few titles will be leaving the Game Pass library on August 15th. Be sure to jump back in for one last playthrough of these fan favourites before they depart, but you can be sure we’ll remind you again nearer the time:
- Anthem (Console and PC via EA Play)
- Farming Simulator 22 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Persona 3 Reload (Cloud, Console, and PC)
With this monumental week of new additions and the upcoming bittersweet farewell to some great titles, Game Pass is once again solidifying its position as an essential service.
Whether you’re ready to dive into a new world or revisit an old favorite, there’s no shortage of things to play!
