Microsoft recently confirmed a batch of games that will be leavingXbox Game Passin August 2021. Thelist of Xbox Game Pass games leaving in August 2021is headlined by heavy hitters likeGrand Theft Auto 5and the originalFinal Fantasy 7, but while the service is losing some important games this month, it’s also gaining some major new titles, including four big games that are coming to Game Pass on day one.
RELATED:Codemasters Racing Games Are Coming to EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Here are the big day oneXbox Game Passgames that are being added to the service in August 2021.
Hades (August 13)
Hadeswas one of 2020’s top-rated games, but it was only available on PC and Nintendo Switch when it first released. This meant that diehard PlayStation and Xbox gamers had to miss out, but that will be changing soon asHadesis finally making its way to both PlayStation and Xbox consoles on August 13. And better yet for Xbox users,Hadeswill be available on Game Passthe very day that it releases for the platform.
For those who aren’t familiar withHades, the game is a roguelike based on Greek mythology, with players taking on the role ofHades' son Zagreus.Hadeswon numerous awards and widespread critical acclaim, standing as developer Supergiant Games' most highly-rated game to date. Its Xbox and PlayStation debut should ensure that even more fans get the chance to see what all the fuss is about withHades, and luckily the wait is almost over.
Recompile (August 19)
The vast majority of Xbox Game Pass games are playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X, but there are a select few that are only available on Microsoft’s next-generation console. So far this has included survival-horror gameThe Mediumand the console version ofMicrosoft Flight Simulator, but theMetroidvania gameRecompilewill be joining that list when it launches day one on Xbox Game Pass on August 19.Recompileboasts unique visuals that should look great powered by the Xbox Series X, so those with Microsoft’s next-generation console should definitely keep an eye on this when it hits Game Pass later this month.
12 Minutes (August 19)
Not only can Xbox Game Pass owners look forward to an extremely unique premise when12 Minuteshits Xbox Game Pass on August 19, but they can also look forward to an all-star voice cast. The likes of Daisy Ridley, James McAvoy, and Willem Dafoe are all part of the12 Minutescast, so the developers are certainly going all-out to generate as much interest in the game as possible. Whether or not it lives up to the hype remains to be seen, but fans don’t have to wait too much longer to find out.
Psychonauts 2 (August 25)
When Microsoft started acquiring video game studios, one of the first studios that it added to its collection was Double Fine. And as far as Double Fine games go, one of the most memorable is the 3D platformerPsychonauts, which stands as one of the studio’s highest-rated games and has developed a dedicated cult following. Despite the positive reaction to the firstPsychonautsgame, the franchise remained dormant for years, only recently getting a virtual reality spin-off and soon getting a proper sequel in the form ofPsychonauts 2.
Like all other Xbox-published games,Psychonauts 2is a day one Xbox Game Pass game. Picking up directly where the firstPsychonautsgame left off,Psychonauts 2looks to continue the franchise’s winning streak. It’s definitely one of the more high profile games coming to Xbox Game Pass this entire year, and so it will be interesting to see if it lives up to the high bar set by the original.
