August is shaping up to be one of the more exciting months on Xbox Game Pass in 2025, with a mix of surprise arrivals, high-profile titles, and soon-to-depart favorites. From retro shooter royalty to cinematic blockbusters, this week’s lineup covers nearly every kind of gaming mood. There are reasons to jump in now, whether it’s capitalizing on QuakeCon buzz, catching something before it leaves, or getting in on a hotly discussed title while the conversation is still going strong. And to think that this list doesn’t even include upcoming titles on Game Pass is proof that the platform’s momentum will stay strong and steady throughout the rest of the year.
These recommendations aren’t just about what’s new, but about timing. Some games here are riding waves of community turnout, others are primed to reintroduce familiar faces within their franchise, and a few are simply too historically important to pass up. Whether a player is carving through demons, navigating political conspiracies, or losing hours in social sim perfection, there are plenty of games on Xbox Game Pass to keep your week booked solid.
Surprise Xbox Game Pass Shadow Drop Adds 2 More Games for August 2025
Xbox Game Pass gets a surprise shadow drop that brings two more games to the platform, and subscribers may want to check them out.
Heretic + Hexen
Game Pass surprises are rare, but Heretic + Hexen’s shadow drop on Xbox Game Pass is exactly the kind of drop that makes the subscription so exciting. This enhanced 2-in-1 collection resurrects two cult-classic shooters from 1994 and 1995 that helped shape the FPS genre as players know it. Heretic and Hexen introduced inventory systems, vertical aiming, and expanded the formula with distinct character classes and branching level design. This updated release doesn’t just preserve these games’ legacy, but it makes them more accessible than ever with broader platform support, better controls, and language options that welcome a whole new generation of players.
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In Heretic, players step into the boots of Corvus as he battles to overthrow the Serpent Rider D’Sparil. Hexen moves the action to the dark realm of Cronos, where the warlord Korax threatens to plunge the world into chaos. With three unique classes, players carve their own path through the campaign’s twisted environments and puzzles, culminating in an epic showdown with Korax himself.
Heretic + Hexen
- Released
- August 7, 2025
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- id Software, NightDive Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into the definitive re-release of two dark spell-casting shooters that shaped the genre.
Forged by Raven Software on a modified DOOM engine, Heretic and Hexen were released in 1994 and 1995, pushing first-person shooters into bold new territory. These innovative cult classics introduced groundbreaking features like inventory systems, vertical aiming, and distinct character classes, reshaping first-person action games for generations to come. This enhanced restoration makes Heretic + Hexen available to new audiences and long-time fans with expanded accessibility across more platforms and languages than ever before. Whether you're returning to these shadowy realms or discovering them for the first time, an epic legacy awaits.
Owners Receive
Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders¹
Hexen: Beyond Heretic¹
Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel¹
Two all-new episodes created in collaboration between individuals at id Software + Nightdive Studios:
Heretic: Faith Renewed
Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur
There are a total of 117 campaign maps and 120 deathmatch maps in Heretic + Hexen.
New Enhancements
Online cross-platform deathmatch and co-op for up to 16 players²
Local split-screen deathmatch and co-op for up to 8 players
Toggleable, enhanced Tome of Power soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult
Community-published mod support with an in-game mod browser² ³
Improved performance with multithreaded rendering supporting up to 4K resolution and 120 FPS⁵
A Vault section containing concept art and unused sprites from the development of the original games
Accessibility options, such as updated UI, improved legibility, contrast and screen FX adjustments, and text-to-speech features.
Modern controller support
Weapon carousel for faster weapon switching
Game balance toggle (original/enhanced)
Quick Save/Load support
Widescreen support
Many engine fixes for bugs present in original versions
Translated into 12 new languages: French, Italian, German, Spanish, LATAM Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese
¹Original DOS versions of Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders, Hexen: Beyond Heretic and Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel are included in the Steam version.
² account required.
³Mods need to be installed separately; installation requires additional system storage.
⁵Compatible display required.
About the Included Games
Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders
Three brothers, known as the Serpent Riders, used their powerful magic to possess and corrupt the seven kings of the realm, plunging it into war and chaos. But a race of elves known as the Sidhe resisted and were branded heretics. On the brink of losing the war, the Sidhe elders sacrificed themselves and the elven capital city to destroy the seven kings and their armies. As one of the few surviving elves, you embark on a quest for vengeance against those who slaughtered your friends, family, and entire race.
Heretic: Faith Renewed [NEW]
Years after the planes were cleansed of D'Sparil's wretched influence, a wandering warrior in search of home arrives at a foreign land to discover the blighted stains of that old time religion seeping through the cracks of society once more. In the fortified city, zealous acolytes stand high atop a decadent cathedral and listen to the lamentations echoing from the streets as non-believers are dragged away for 'correction.' The shadow of D'Sparil lingers after death, his absence attributed to apotheosis. Once revered, now worshipped, deserving of neither. An all-too-familiar scene, and one you simply cannot stomach. Taking up the mantle of Heretic once more, you stride into the city, staff in hand, to silence the echoes of your arch-nemesis.
Hexen: Beyond Heretic
While the Sidhe elf Corvus battled the evil forces of D'Sparil, the remaining two Serpent Riders were busy sowing the seeds of destruction in other dimensions. As a Warrior, Mage, or Cleric, you must fight the undead and brave elemental dungeons and decaying wilderness to defend your realm of Cronos from Korax, the second Serpent Rider.
Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel
After defeating the evil Korax, the second Serpent Rider, and discovering the Chaos Sphere, you have been transported to the Realm of the Dead. Now your only way home is blocked by hordes of undead and the Dark Citadel. Where Hexen ends, the true nightmare begins.
Hexen: Vestiges of Grandeur [NEW]
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage
With the series just two months away from its 18th anniversary and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows’ success, now’s a great time to catch up with Mirage, especially since it’s included in Game Pass. This installment acts as a perfect palate cleanser for fans who miss the classic, stealth-driven Assassin’s Creed formula after years of sprawling RPG entries. It’s shorter, sharper, and is a return to form as it leans hard into parkour, assassinations, and dense urban environments.
The story follows Basim Ibn Ishaq, a familiar face from Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla. Basim is a cunning street thief in 9th-century Baghdad whose life changes after a violent encounter pulls him into the Hidden Ones. As he hones his skills in stealth and subterfuge, Basim’s journey uncovers political intrigue, hidden agendas, and personal revelations that ripple throughout the Assassin’s Creed universe.
Assassin's Creed: Mirage
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 73%
- Released
- October 12, 2023
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Bordeaux
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Persona 3 Reload
If anyone has been meaning to play Persona 3 Reload, now’s the time. This beloved JRPG remake is leaving Game Pass soon, and that’s a shame given that Reload is Persona 3 at its sharpest. The updated visuals, quality-of-life tweaks, and soundtrack breathe new life into a title that’s often cited as one of the most emotional entries in the series. It’s an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys character-driven storytelling, social sim elements, and turn-based combat with depth.
The story follows Yuki Makoto, a transfer student at Gekkoukan High School who stumbles into the Dark Hour, a hidden time between days when Shadows prey on the minds of the living. Alongside the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES), he ascends the mysterious tower Tartarus to uncover the truth, harnessing the power of Personas while forging bonds alongside the squad’s growing strength.
Persona 3 Reload
- Released
- February 2, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17 / Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, RPG, Life Simulation, Strategy
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - Cross-Gen Bundle
With Modern Warfare 3’s recent updates and multiplayer events, now is a great time to jump in, as the online portion of the game is full of content. The Cross-Gen Bundle gives access to both the campaign and competitive modes, meaning that anyone can experience the cinematic action while sharpening their skills online.
The narrative continues the high-stakes story of Task Force 141, the elite multinational unit battling the ruthless Ultranationalist leader Vladimir Makarov. As Makarov maneuvers to ignite a third world war, players globe-trot through tense missions, infiltrations, and large-scale battles that blur the line between playable cinema and blockbuster spectacle. While the campaign won't be everyone because of its focus on open-combat missions instead of exciting set pieces, everyone looking for a fun shooter should give the multiplayer a try, as its combination of classic MW2 map remakes and a gigantic weapon lineup will provide hours of fun. MWZ is also worth a try, as some players loved the attempt at open-world Zombies.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare III
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 58 /100 Critics Rec: 14%
- Released
- November 10, 2023
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Sledgehammer Games
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
With QuakeCon wrapping up, there’s no better time to spotlight one of Bethesda’s best adventures in recent memory. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle might not be new to Game Pass, but it’s still a must-play for anyone craving the thrill of discovery and the tension of ancient mysteries. Its mix of traversal, puzzle-solving, and dynamic set-pieces sets it apart from most action-adventure titles on the service.
This time, Indy’s quest centers on the Great Circle, a mysterious network of ancient sites that could hold the key to unimaginable power. The adventure takes players from sun-baked deserts to snow-covered mountaintops, each environment brimming with secrets and hazards. Along the way, Indiana Jones’ whip isn’t just for combat. It’s also a tool for navigation, problem-solving, and uncovering hidden treasures, ensuring the journey feels as tactile as it does cinematic.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- December 9, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- MachineGames
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda