What you need to know
- Xbox Game Pass is a monthly subscription service which gives you access to over 200 games.
- Even more games were announced for Xbox Game Pass on consoles and PC today.
- Ashes Cricket and Space Hulk: Tactics highlight the immediate lineup.
- You can purchase Xbox Game Pass Ultimate through Amazon.
A few weeks ago, Microsoft announced that several ID@Xbox games were coming to Xbox Game Pass soon. However, we didn't know which "AAA" experiences would be joining the service in August. Luckily, that changed today. Xbox Live's Director of Programming Larry Hryb just announced that Ashes Cricket, Space Hulk: Tactics, and more games are being added to Xbox Game Pass in the coming days.
You can read about the upcoming games below. Out of all of these, Ashes Cricket, Pandemic, and Space Hulk: Tactics seem to be the immediate highlights. It's an interesting mix of blockbusters and smaller titles, but there are still are few surprises we'll talk about later. Below, you can read a little about each game and see when it's hitting Xbox Game Pass.
Ashes Cricket
Ashes Cricket is a cricket simulator. If you're unfamiliar with the sport, think of it as baseball. The game offers a deep career mode that gives you the ability to play as a star or start as a junior and play club cricket until reaching international level. You can create players, teams, and even umpires in the Cricket Academy and upload it on the online community.
Ashes Cricket should join Xbox Game Pass on August 1. This game will only be available on Xbox One.
Pandemic
Pandemic is a popular board game. As members of an elite disease control team, you're the only force standing in the way of four deadly diseases spreading across the world. You must travel the globe protecting cities, contain infections from spreading, and discover the cure for each disease.
Pandemic should join Xbox Game Pass on August 1. This game will only be available on Xbox One.
Downwell
Downwell is exactly what the same suggests, you're falling down a well and have to control your character. Venture down into a darkness filled with nasty creatures to collect spectacular red gems scattered about the rocks. You're essentially a treasure hunter armed only with your gun-equipped boots for protection.
Downwell should join Xbox Game Pass on August 1. This game will only be available on PC.
The Jackbox Party Pack 2
The Jackbox Party Pack 2 is an amazing party game. The sequel features five fresh, rib-tickling party games supporting up to eight players. The titles are absolutely hilarious! One of the favorites has to be the drawing game.
The Jackbox Party Pack 2 should join Xbox Game Pass on August 8. This game will only be available on Xbox One.
Space Hulk: Tactics
Space Hulk: Tactics is a faithful adaptation of the board game Space Hulk, set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, bringing a unique twist to the cult classic formula. Engage in bloody battles through an immense Space Hulk which is a twisted mass of asteroids, wrecked star ships, and debris.
Space Hulk: Tactics should join Xbox Game Pass on August 8. This game will only be available on PC.
Where the Water Tastes Like Wine
Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is a narrative-adventure game about traveling, sharing stories, and surviving manifest destiny.
Where the Water Tastes Like Wine should launch on August 8. The game will only be available on PC.
Slay the Spire
Slay the Spire fuses card games and roguelikes together to make the best single-player deckbuilder there is. Craft a unique deck, encounter bizarre creatures, and discover relics of immense power.
Slay the Spire should join Xbox Game Pass on August 14. This game will be available on both platforms.
Now we have to talk about a surprise release and one of the best games ever made. According to a press release we received from Microsoft, The Bard's Tale Trilogy is coming to Xbox One and PC through Xbox Game Pass in August. Beforehand, we only knew about The Bard's Tale IV: Director's Cut and Blair Witch.
The Bard's Tale Trilogy
The Bard's Tale Trilogy is a complete remaster of the iconic series that helped define the role-playing genre. Featuring updated graphics and optional quality-of-life gameplay features, this is the ideal way to experience the dungeon-crawling challenge that made the original games beloved classics.
The Bard's Tale Trilogy should join Xbox Game Pass on August 13. This game will be available on both platforms.
The Bard's Tale IV: Director's Cut
The Bard's Tale IV is the triumphant return of one of the most iconic role-playing series of all time. Delve into a tactically rich combat system that rewards creativity, solve puzzles to gain treasure and advantages, and discover a beautifully crafted world. The title takes place through the first-person perspective, but battles are still old-school.
The Bard's Tale IV: Director's Cut should join Xbox Game Pass on August 27. This game will be available on both platforms.
Blair Witch
We all know about the Blair Witch Project. This game is set in 1996 and you play as a detective. Gameplay involves searching the woods at night with a flashlight, a dog at your side. The reveal trailer suggested that the game will place the player in the same kind of eerie vulnerability which was the hallmark of the recovered footage style of the 1999 film.
Blair Witch should join Xbox Game Pass on August 30. The game will be available on Xbox One, but it's unclear if the same applies to PC. At E3 2019, Microsoft announced that the game would be available through Xbox Game Pass, but the Microsoft Store currently doesn't say that. Hopefully, this error will be corrected before launch because it's causing quite a lot of confusion.
There are so many amazing games coming to Xbox Game Pass in the coming weeks. Which ones are you most interested in? Let us know. We're definitely excited to play The Bard's Tale Trilogy on consoles because it's been available on PC for quite some time now. It's a cult classic franchise that every gamer should try. In many ways, The Bard's Tale franchise has shaped modern role-playing games.
Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold in one
Xbox Game Pass gives you access to over a hundred games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold to the package so you can play online with your friends. Right now, you can purchase a three-month subscription for $45 through Amazon.
Ditch the discs
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Excellent and affordable Xbox accessories
Up your Xbox experience with one (or all) of these budget accessories, all of which are approved by the gamers of Windows Central.
PowerA Play & Charge Kit for Xbox One ($15 at Amazon)
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ElecGear 4 Port USB Xbox One S Hub ($19 at Amazon)
This brilliant little USB splitter hub attaches perfectly to the side of your Xbox One S console. It's ideal for use with chargers, controllers, headsets, and more.
Controller Gear stand ($13 at Amazon)
Proudly display your Xbox gamepads with this stylish and functional stand. The licensed design is minimalist and black, and it has a hidden storage compartment, making the price of $13 a real steal.
