Xbox Game Pass August 2021: The best games to play this month

August 17th, 2021 Jordan Oloman Xbox Game Pass

As we approach Gamescom, Xbox is not letting up with its additions to the Game Pass library. In fact, the Xbox Game Pass August lineup might be the strongest we’ve seen all year, and we’re still only halfway through the month! Microsoft is set to launch a couple of new releases on the platform in August, but it’s also bringing a number of solid racing games via EA Play and some beloved classic titles to the service. There’s something for everyone this month, so let’s hop right into it!

Lumines Remastered (Cloud, Console and PC) — August 5

If you’ve heard of Tetsuya Mizuguchi’s games, you’ll know that they’re all about trying to summon feelings of synaesthesia in players, where the audio, visuals and vibrations come together to create powerful emotions. Much like Rez and Child of Eden, Lumines Remastered approaches this challenge with symphonic puzzle-solving. It’s absolutely worth a download if you love music and would like to experience something completely unique, especially if you’ve played and enjoyed Tetris Effect Connected, which is already on Game Pass.

Skate 3 (Cloud) – August 5

It’s a crying shame that the excellent Skate 2 isn’t available through backwards compatibility, but its sequel is just as good, if not better. Skate 3 is coming to the Cloud this month and with skateboarding’s debut in the Olympics earlier this month, there’s no better time than the present to try and nail a few virtual kickflips (and cause a couple bails) before you get back on the board in real life.

Hades (Cloud, Console and PC) – August 13

Hades won multiple game of the year awards last year, and now it’s available to Game Pass subscribers, after previously launching on PC and Nintendo Switch. If you’ve heard someone rave about this game, there’s a real reason for that. It’s one of the most inventive roguelikes ever envisioned, a moving mythological tale about the son of Hades trying to escape the underworld. But beyond the narrative intrigue, the actual gameplay is so moreish and exciting, as you dodge and dash your way through a variety of mobs to reach tricky bosses.

Psychonauts 2 (Console and PC) — August 25

Originally launching in 2005, Double Fine’s Psychonauts followed Razputin Aquato, a kid who travels into the minds of others to explore their mental worlds and mitigate their most pressing problems. It’s a genius premise for a video game, and we’re lucky that it’s getting a sequel that lands later this month. Psychonauts 2 is the official follow-up, a 3D platformer from the mind of Tim Schafer, who wrote cult classics like Grim Fandango and Brutal Legend. Check it out if you like funny games or if you just want to have your imagination stoked by its inspired art direction.