2023 has been a mixed year for Xbox Game Pass, with both highs and lows. However, as the year progresses, things are starting to even out. The lineup for July 2023 featured some impressive titles, with Grand Theft Auto 5 being the standout. Fortunately, August 2023's Xbox Game Pass selection looks promising. Four games have been confirmed so far, and all of them are exceptional.
Kicking off on August 1 is the visually stunning indie platformer Celeste. Then, on August 15, the expansive sci-fi action-RPG Everspace 2 will launch on Xbox Game Pass. A few days later, on August 18, the asymmetrical multiplayer horror game The Texas Chain Saw Massacre will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. Finally, at the end of the month, the highly anticipated Sea of Stars will also be released on Xbox Game Pass, on day one. While these four games will undoubtedly be excellent additions to the service, a few more would certainly enhance the experience.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for August 2023: Stray
Originally released exclusively on PlayStation Plus, it would be fantastic to see Stray become available on Xbox Game Pass upon its release on August 10. Despite recent tensions highlighted by a public FTC court case, both PlayStation and Xbox have been enjoying a positive relationship, as evidenced by their agreement to offer the upcoming game Sea of Stars on both PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass from day one.
A true demonstration of cooperation between these two industry giants would be PlayStation allowing Stray to be included in Xbox Game Pass when it debuts on the console next month. Furthermore, Stray is not only an outstanding game with its delightful charm and stunning art style, but it also makes for a perfect addition to the Xbox Game Pass lineup.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for August 2023: GTA Definitive Trilogy
As mentioned earlier, Grand Theft Auto 5 was the most popular addition to Xbox Game Pass in July 2023. It would be a smart move to continue the momentum this month by introducing more GTA content. Despite their initial controversy, the GTA Definitive Trilogy remains a fantastic way to experience three timeless classics. Having all three games available on Xbox Game Pass is a major advantage. In a time when gamers crave more content during the summer season, the GTA Definitive Trilogy offers an abundance of it, with a whopping 70 hours of captivating story content across all three games.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for August 2023: Immortals of Aveum
Releasing on August 22, Immortals of Aveum from Ascendant Studios is a highly anticipated game that may have flown under the radar. This first-person arena shooter draws inspiration from classic shooters like Doom and Quake. However, it stands out with its unique gameplay mechanic - instead of traditional firearms, players wield an array of powerful magical spells. While the storyline might seem unconventional, Immortals of Aveum promises an exciting and satisfying gaming experience.
Xbox Game Pass New Game for August 2023: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
Recently, there has been a notable resurgence of classic Call of Duty games on Xbox. Microsoft has made some mysterious fixes to server issues, leading to a surge of fans returning to beloved titles such as Black Ops and Modern Warfare 2. As a result, these games have climbed to the top of the bestsellers list on Xbox Game Pass. To capitalize on this unique trend, it would be fantastic if Microsoft could embrace it by adding a classic CoD game to Xbox Game Pass. And what better choice than Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, currently holding the title of best-selling game on the Xbox Marketplace.
