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An exceptional release schedule shows just how good this service has gotten, and it’s AAA-free.
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I’ve said it before and will probably say it again in the future, but Game Pass is a bit good, isn’t it? The lineup of games coming to the service, especially console, over the next month is possibly the best we’ve ever seen.
Just watch this for a line-up:
- Tales of Cris – July 20
- Atomicrops – July 22
- Last stop – July 22
- Raji: An Ancient Epic – July 22
- Blinx: The Time Sweeper – July 26
- Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge – July 26
- Microsoft Flight Simulator – Xbox release July 27
- Lethal League Blaze – July 29
- Ur – July 29
- Ascension – July 29
- Wingman Project – July 29 (PC only)
- Hades – August 13
- Twelve minutes – August 19
- Psychonauts 2 – 25 August
You could look at this list and think, “well, there’s nothing big about that,” and you’d kinda be right. But check it out again and consider the quality (hopefully) of this list of games.
Cris Tales is an absolutely glorious indie love letter to classic JRPGs. Early reviews are solid, making it a great choice for Game Pass. Last Stop is a sci-fi body swap adventure from the developers of indie hit Virginia, and it feels like a perfect addition to Game Pass.
Microsoft Flight Simulator dazzled on PC last year and is finally coming to Xbox Series consoles on July 27. A lot of people would have dismissed this if he had been stuck behind a $ 60 purchase, but on Game Pass he will find a huge new audience.
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Although rather po-face, this one might surprise a lot of people after being first tempted by the incredible visuals. While I said this list is not AAA, there’s no denying that Flight Simulator is about as AAA as the sims can get.
Omno, a non-violent exploration game, was created by one developer but looks awesome. Game Pass brought a lot of great indie games to players on Day 1, and it could be another top-notch addition if the game can match its otherworldly visuals.
The Ascent, one of the first Xbox Series games to be revealed, is an isometric action RPG with the potential to be stunning (and looks top notch, visually). Games with that cyberpunk vibe are pretty hot right now, but this one has the potential to be really, really good.
Hades needs little introduction as the game has been cleaned up in the Game of the Year 2020 awards. This is a great gift for the Game Pass, which comes to the service on the day it is released on Xbox. If you haven’t already tasted its delicacies on PC or Switch, go for it.
Twelve Minutes is a unique-looking thriller from Annapurna Interactive in which you must solve a mystery by replaying a 12-minute sequence inside an apartment. He looks super groomed and has vocals from James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley and Willem Dafoe.
Towards the end of August we have Psychonauts 2, the much sought after and very late sequel to the original Xbox hit. A recent round of previews featured the game as a Game of the Year competitor, so having it on Game Pass on day one is wonderful.
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Still, that’s not even the full roster of games coming next month.
Atomicrops is a well-rated roguelite tower defense game, Raji: An Ancient Epic is like an indie god of war set in ancient India, Project Wingman is a popular combat action game and Lethal League Blaze is a action packed ball game crossed with a fighter. All great additions to Game Pass. Add to this bundle the double whammy of nostalgia in the form of the Xbox classics Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge and Blinx: The Time Sweeper, and, well, that’s a lot.
It’s a lineup of assault games, and that’s unlikely to be all that will come to Game Pass during the period. A handful of other titles, new and old, will likely fill in the gaps, adding to what I think is the best month in Game Pass history.
Later in the year, Game Pass members will enjoy Xbox Game Studios titles on day one, with Halo Infinite released during the holiday season and likely to be huge. We also have Back 4 Blood and Forza Horizon 5 in October, both on day one on Game Pass. Next year, we’ll see the fruits of the Bethesda acquisition, with Starfield, Deathloop, and Redfall all expected on Xbox and Game Pass.
For more games to come in the coming months, head over to our video game release dates page. What do you think. Has there been a better time in Game Pass history? Let us know in the comments.