Microsoft has unveiled the second wave of its Xbox Game Pass lineup for August 2025, featuring titles such as Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Gears of War: Reloaded, and Persona 4 Golden. The announcement, made via Xbox Wire, details the specific dates and platforms for each game’s availability.
Blacksmith Master (Game Preview) launched on August 19, 2025, accessible on PC through both Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This early access title places players in the role of a medieval smith, tasked with managing their own forge. The core gameplay loop involves smelting resources to create various items, ranging from swords to cooking pots. Players can then invest the profits earned into upgrading their forge, unlocking new recipes, and enhancing their production capabilities. The Game Preview label indicates that Blacksmith Master is still under development, and players may encounter bugs or unfinished features.
Also released on August 19, 2025, is Void/Breaker, a roguelite first-person shooter available on PC through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This title combines fast-paced shooting action with the procedural generation and permadeath mechanics characteristic of the roguelite genre. Players navigate through dynamically generated levels, battling enemies and collecting upgrades in an attempt to reach the final boss. The permadeath feature means that upon death, players lose their progress and must start a new run from the beginning.
On August 20, 2025, Goat Simulator Remastered was added to Game Pass Standard. This remastered version of the original Goat Simulator provides enhanced visuals and includes downloadable content. Players can control a goat and wreak havoc in an open-world environment. The game encourages exploration and experimentation, allowing players to discover various interactions and hidden secrets. The “remastered” designation signals improvements to the game’s graphics and performance compared to the original release.
The same day, August 20, 2025, Persona 4 Golden became available on Xbox Game Pass across multiple platforms (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X/S). Subscribers to Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard can access the title. Persona 4 Golden is a role-playing game known for its story, characters, and turn-based combat system. This release provides Game Pass subscribers with access to a well-regarded JRPG.
August 21, 2025, marked the day-one launch of Herdling on Game Pass. This indie adventure game allows players to lead a group of creatures resembling banthas from Star Wars. Players will face dangers and obstacles as they journey across an alpine environment. The “day one launch” designation means the game was available on Game Pass on the same day as its official release.
The latter part of August included the arrival of Gears of War: Reloaded on August 26, 2025, accessible on Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X/S for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. This enhanced version of the initial Gears of War title includes all post-launch content, multiplayer maps, and cosmetic items. The term “reloaded” implies significant improvements to the original game, including visual enhancements and gameplay refinements.
Rounding out the month, Dragon Age: The Veilguard joined Game Pass on August 28, 2025. Available on Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X/S for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members, this fantasy RPG was released the previous year. The game’s inclusion on Game Pass follows its earlier appearance on PlayStation Plus in March. The game places players in a fantasy world, tasking them with recruiting companions and averting a catastrophic event.
Several titles will be leaving Xbox Game Pass on August 31, 2025. These include:
- Ben 10 Power Trip: (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Borderlands 3: (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Paw Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay: (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- Sea of Stars: (Cloud, Console, and PC)
- This War of Mine: Final Cut: (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Game Pass members who wish to retain access to these titles can purchase them with a 20% discount.
Tom Phillips, News Editor at IGN, can be contacted at tom_phillips@ign.com and on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social.
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