Another day, another opportunity for gamers to give some more games a go with Game Pass. But this time around there are more games leaving the service than joining. In fact, there are four games making their way off of the platform. However, a certain space combat title is joining day one…
The Perks of Game Pass
If you are still undecided on picking up a Game Pass subscription for yourself, then listen up.
Available on Xbox, PC or via the Cloud, the Game Pass subscription gives you access to hundreds of games, free to play. Many titles launch onto the service also, making them instantly accessible to millions of players.
With all first-party Xbox titles also debuting on the service, now is as good a time as any to pick up a subscription. Especially with Starfield on the near horizon. This month we have already seen the likes of A Short Hike, the beautiful Venba and many more added to the repertoire.
Today sees that Game Pass service switch things up a bit. It could be seen as the final frontier, as a number of games move out, making way for just the one new addition. But what are they – what games are leaving Game Pass in August 2023?
EVERSPACE 2
The sole title being added to Game Pass today is the sequel to a true cult classic – EVERSPACE 2.
Released in May of 2017, the original Everspace wowed gamers with its frantic space dogfights and addictive roguelike gameplay loop. The sequel – EVERSPACE 2 – seeks to build on the original and up the bar for AA titles.
Expect even more chaotic space action, new ways to customise your own spaceship, and a thrilling sci-fi story to boot.
EVERSPACE 2 arrives on Xbox and Cloud Game Pass, day one. Our review is incoming but we’re certain this one will be well worth a look.
Death Stranding
Over in the world of PC Game Pass, we are losing one of the most groundbreaking titles to release in recent years. Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding was a game that really split audiences back when it launched in November 2019, yet many are looking forward to what craziness Kojima Productions can conjure up for the confirmed sequel.
Starring some true legends of the acting game like Norman Reedus and Mads Mikkelsen, this adventure title sees protagonist Sam Bridges navigate a dystopian world, dominated by the Death Stranding. With its revolutionary ‘Social Strand System’ that promises to connect gamers in ways never before seen, Death Stranding is certainly both unique and ambitious.
But you won’t be able to play it on PC Game Pass anymore. That makes us sad.
Edge of Eternity
Another game sadly departing Xbox, Cloud and PC Game Pass today is that of Edge of Eternity. Midgar Studio’s 2022 fantasy JRPG immerses us in a larger than life world that really is the star of the show. You’ll be navigating frozen tundras, vast deserts and lush forests, taking part in turn-based combat.
As with most JRPGs, both the story and combat system can be a bit tricky to get to grips with at first. However, players that have stuck with Edge of Eternity have surely been rewarded with a captivating experience.
Check out our full review of Edge of Eternity on Xbox here.
“I have no hesitation in recommending Edge of Eternity. It is a huge game, but more importantly, it has an epic story to be told. The combat system has some nice touches which keeps it fresh, and the crafting is deep and immersive. This is a game that many will be playing for days and weeks on end, with Midgar Studios needing praise for creating something special. If you like an RPG, you owe it to yourself to play it.”
Midnight Fight Express
If it is crunching combat and a badass cyberpunk city you are looking for, then look no further than Midnight Fight Express.
The intricate fighting found within Jacob Dzwinel’s solo creation could almost be mistaken for a dance. Don’t get us wrong, there’s a real dingy, demented tone to proceedings. Yet we can’t help but jump back in constantly, dishing out knuckle sandwiches like an overly-aggressive waiter.
Whether it is the slow but satisfying way we upgrade our fighter’s skills, or simply because we wish we were John Wick himself, we will miss Midnight Fight Express as it departs Xbox, PC and Cloud Game Pass today.
Our full review of Midnight Fight Express on Xbox is worth checking out!
“There is a lot of good stuff going on in Midnight Fight Express, and not too much that is seen as a negative. Some of the levels are daft (jet ski chase, anyone?), after a while the levels do start to get a bit samey, and some of the new enemies that are thrown in are very difficult to take down (more difficult than the bosses, that’s for sure) but other than that, it is a fun romp through a city on the edge.”
Total War: Warhammer III
The final casualty from this round of Game Pass additions and removals marks the conclusion of a beefy Warhammer trilogy. Total War: Warhammer III is the thrilling third of the Total War: Warhammer series. This one sees players once again delve into intense strategic combat.
Another turn-based strategy game to sink your teeth into, Total War: Warhammer III certainly takes some time to figure out. It is Warhammer after all – not something that’s known for its ease of access.
Alas, SEGA and Creative Assembly’s title will have you picking one of ten Legendary Lords, before commanding an army through a number of gripping battles. Do you have what it takes to conquer the story-driven solo campaigns, and then take the fight online?
Unfortunately, to find out you won’t be doing so on PC Game Pass. At least not for the foreseeable future, as it departs from the service today.
What Is Next For Game Pass Subscribers?
So, there we have it for today’s rundown of the Game Pass shifters.
Gamescom 2023 is on the horizon (23rd-27th August). And that means you can be pretty sure that some more titles will arrive on the service before the month is out. If you can’t wait until then, remember that The Texas Chain Saw Massacre – a new asymmetrical multiplayer experience from Sumo Digital – is launching on Game Pass on August 18th!
Will you be giving EVERSPACE 2 a go on Game Pass? Let us know in the comments below, and on our social channels!
