It’s another eventful week for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, with a fresh wave of major titles arriving just as a few others make their final bow.
This week’s lineup delivers a potent mix of brutal sci-fi action and epic fantasy adventures, ensuring there’s something for every type of gamer. Let’s break down all the latest changes hitting the subscription service.
New Adventures Hitting Game Pass
As is nearly always the case, there are some new games landing on Game Pass this coming week – although they are certainly outnumbered by those being removed from play.
But hey, quality over quantity, no!?
Gears of War: Reloaded (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – August 26th
The iconic franchise that defined the third-person cover shooter genre is back and better than ever.
Gears of War: Reloaded is not just a remaster; it’s the definitive way to experience the game that started it all.
You’ll step into the combat boots of Marcus Fenix, an inmate freed to lead a squad of soldiers in a last-ditch effort to save humanity from the ruthless Locust Horde. This new version has been enhanced for a new generation with stunning 4K visuals, remastered textures, lighting, and reflections, as well as a modernised control scheme.
The campaign can be enjoyed solo or with a friend in split-screen or online co-op.
We’ll let you know how it all comes together in full review of Gears of War: Reloaded very soon.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – August 28th
The long-awaited next chapter in BioWare’s acclaimed RPG series has arrived on Game Pass.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard thrusts you into a massive, immersive single-player adventure as you fight to prevent the end of the world.
You play as Rook, a fully customisable hero who must gather a diverse cast of companions to form a party and, well, save the world. The game features an action-based combat system, all while retaining strategic pause-and-play mechanics.
With a compelling story, stunning visuals, and a massive world to save, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a massive and immersive experience. Our 4.5/5 review praised it for its “compelling story and characters,” and “engaging and rewarding combat system,” declaring it an “excellent game” overall.
Sold? Let us know in the comments.
Final Call: Games Leaving Game Pass on August 31st
As new games arrive, it’s time to say goodbye to a handful of titles departing the Game Pass library.
Let our reviews tempt you in to that last playthrough before they are gone…
- Ben 10: Power Trip (Cloud, Console, and PC) – “Recommending Ben 10: Power Trip on the Xbox One is difficult, because everything comes with an asterisk. It’s a refreshing difference from your traditional licenced kids’ game, as it attempts an open world BUT that open world is lacking in content and interest. It can be explored cooperatively BUT only if you stay joined at the hip.“
- Borderlands 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – “It delivers on its promise and then some, and if you’re someone who enjoys playing video games alone or with friends, and likes having fun whilst doing so, in that respect, Borderlands 3 is perfect.“
- PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay (Cloud, Console, and PC) – “There’s plenty to commend in PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. It’s that rare example of a game that can be played by under-7s without help, and a strong co-op feature means that you can share Adventure Bay with them. Kids might not care, but it’s indefensibly slight for the price.“
- Sea of Stars (Cloud, Console, and PC) – 5/5 score – “Sea of Stars manages to modernise a dated formula by raising the bar for all future 2D RPGs. It’s a whopping slice of nostalgia pie with a beautiful art style and engaging gameplay. While combat could benefit from more in-depth features, fans of games such as Chrono Trigger may just find themselves a new favourite in Sea of Stars.“
- This War of Mine: Final Cut (Cloud, Console, and PC) – 4.5/5 score – “With all the content available, the beautiful charcoal art style, the tense survival gameplay, the wonderful stories, This War of Mine: Final Cut is something that is absolutely worth your time – as long as you know what you’re getting into. Surviving in Sarajevo will be an experience you will likely not forget for a long time.“
This week’s Game Pass lineup offers a powerful mix of both new blockbusters and returning classics.
Whether you’re chaining together kills in Gears of War or recruiting your next companion in Dragon Age, there’s no shortage of things to play.
Just don’t forget to squeeze in one last go with those departing titles before they are gone for good!
