Microsoft recently confirmed a batch of games that will be leaving Xbox Game Pass in August 2021. The list of Xbox Game Pass games leaving in August 2021 is headlined by heavy hitters like Grand Theft Auto 5 and the original Final 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.
There are a variety of new Xbox Game Pass games coming in August 2021, ranging from day one releases to older titles. While Xbox Game Pass subscribers undoubtedly appreciate every game that makes its way to Microsoft's service, the day one releases definitely generate the most buzz. This month's Xbox Game Pass day one offerings are some of the most significant of the year, so there's a lot to look forward to this month.
Here are the big day one Xbox Game Pass games that are being added to the service in August 2021.
Hades (August 13)
Hades was 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 as Hades is finally making its way to both PlayStation and Xbox consoles on August 13. And better yet for Xbox users, Hades will be available on Game Pass the very day that it releases for the platform.
For those who aren't familiar with Hades, the game is a roguelike based on Greek mythology, with players taking on the role of Hades' son Zagreus. Hades won 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 with Hades, 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 game The Medium and the console version of Microsoft Flight Simulator, but the Metroidvania game Recompile will be joining that list when it launches day one on Xbox Game Pass on August 19. Recompile boasts 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)
August 19 is going to be an especially exciting day for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Not only is Recompile being added to the Game Pass service that day, but so too is 12 Minutes. 12 Minutes is a unique time loop game where players have to figure out how to escape a time loop that sees their wife murdered, among other horrible things happening. Its initial announcement turned a lot of heads for its unique premise, but now 12 Minutes has some serious Hollywood talent backing it up as well.
Not only can Xbox Game Pass owners look forward to an extremely unique premise when 12 Minutes hits 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 the 12 Minutes cast, 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 platformer Psychonauts, which stands as one of the studio's highest-rated games and has developed a dedicated cult following. Despite the positive reaction to the first Psychonauts game, the franchise remained dormant for years, only recently getting a virtual reality spin-off and soon getting a proper sequel in the form of Psychonauts 2.
Like all other Xbox-published games, Psychonauts 2 is a day one Xbox Game Pass game. Picking up directly where the first Psychonauts game left off, Psychonauts 2 looks 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.
Looking ahead, there's plenty more for Xbox Game Pass subscribers to look forward to this year. There are numerous Xbox Game Pass games already confirmed for release in September, plus the highly-anticipated Halo Infinite is also on deck for release in 2021. Microsoft is truly going all-out with Xbox Game Pass, and it's showing no signs of slowing down so far.