Xbox Game Pass adds nine more games in August 2026, including Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, Vapor World, Blood Dungeon and Starsand Island.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has confirmed that several existing games will leave the service at the end of August, including Another Crab's Treasure, I Am Your Beast, Neon Abyss, One Lonely Outpost and The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt – Remastered Edition.

That makes this more than just another list of games.

For Game Pass subscribers, the second half of August creates a clear reason to check the service again.

Here is everything you need to know about the latest Xbox Game Pass additions.

Xbox Game Pass August 2026 Wave 2 Games

The second August wave contains a mixture of games across Xbox consoles, PC, cloud gaming and handheld-compatible devices.

Here is the complete schedule announced by Xbox:

Microsoft's official announcement confirms that several of these games are included on day one for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.

Vapor World: Over the Mind Arrives August 19

One of the first major additions is Vapor World: Over the Mind, arriving on August 19.

The game is described as a narrative-driven souls-like platformer focused on deflection-based combat.

Players follow a boy who becomes trapped inside a twisted dream while searching through a shattered mind for lost memories.

The setting is built around darkness, sorrow and regret, giving the game a much more psychological tone than a conventional platformer.

According to Xbox, Vapor World: Over the Mind launches day one through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

The combat system is particularly interesting.

Rather than simply attacking enemies repeatedly, players need to learn timing and use deflection mechanics to survive.

That could make the game appealing to players who enjoy challenging action titles but also want a strong narrative.

Why Vapor World Could Stand Out

The combination of platforming, souls-like combat and psychological storytelling gives Vapor World a distinctive identity.

It is not attempting to compete directly with a traditional 3D action RPG.

Instead, it focuses on a more contained experience built around movement, combat and exploration.

For Game Pass subscribers, the day-one availability also removes one of the biggest barriers to trying an unfamiliar indie title.

Players can simply download it and see whether the unusual combination works for them.

BlazBlue Entropy Effect X Gets a Game Pass Expansion

Another August 19 addition is BlazBlue Entropy Effect X.

The game combines the BlazBlue universe with roguelite action and 2D visuals.

Xbox describes it as a fast-paced action game featuring precise controls and stylish combat.

There is another reason for players to pay attention.

A free major content update featuring Platinum is also arriving on Xbox Series X|S.

That means existing fans are not simply receiving access to the game through Game Pass.

They are also getting additional content.

The roguelite structure should make the game particularly attractive to players who enjoy repeated runs, experimentation and gradually improving their performance.

Relooted Brings an Africanfuturist Heist Experience

Relooted is another game arriving August 19.

The game takes a very different approach from the other additions.

It is described as an Africanfuturist heist game centered around recovering African artifacts from Western museums.

Players recruit crew members, plan escape routes and attempt to secure valuable cargo before escaping.

That gives Relooted a combination of strategy, planning and action.

Instead of simply entering an area and defeating enemies, players have to think about the entire operation.

Who should be recruited?

What route should be used?

How should the escape be handled?

How quickly can the team leave once the objective is complete?

These systems could make Relooted one of the more distinctive games in this month's Game Pass lineup.

Starsand Island Arrives August 20

Players looking for something more relaxing have Starsand Island arriving on August 20.

The game moves away from combat-heavy gameplay and focuses on pastoral life.

Players can fish, explore, interact with animals and spend time developing their island life.

Xbox specifically highlights capybaras, cats and dogs as part of the experience.

The game also features locations such as the Moonlit Forest, providing an opportunity for exploration beyond the main island activities.

This makes Starsand Island an interesting contrast to the darker and more combat-focused titles in the lineup.

A Different Kind of Game Pass Experience

One of Game Pass's biggest strengths is variety.

A subscriber might play a difficult action game in the afternoon and switch to a relaxing farming or life-sim experience later.

Starsand Island fits perfectly into that model.

It is designed around slower progression and exploration rather than constant pressure.

For players who enjoy games such as farming simulators and cozy life sims, this could become one of the quieter highlights of the month.

Aerial_Knight's DropShot Arrives August 25

On August 25, Game Pass adds Aerial_Knight's DropShot.

Xbox describes the title as a high-speed, stylized FPS racer.

The game combines shooting, racing and fast movement in a futuristic setting.

Players control Smoke Wallace, a character with a particularly unusual backstory involving a radioactive dragon.

The concept immediately separates it from conventional shooters.

Rather than simply moving through traditional FPS arenas, players are expected to race rivals, fight enemies and maintain speed.

The game will be available through cloud gaming, Xbox Series X|S, handheld and PC versions.

That makes it another Game Pass title suited to players who want something fast and arcade-like.

Blood Dungeon Is a Day-One Game Pass Release

Blood Dungeon arrives August 25 as another day-one Game Pass release.

The game comes from the creators of Nidhogg and focuses on 2D platforming survival.

The objective is simple but challenging: survive dangerous dungeon environments while navigating obstacles, avoiding monsters and collecting blood and power-ups.

Xbox describes the game as a platforming survival experience where players can use movement and positioning to kite enemies.

The progression system also gives players reasons to keep playing.

Successful runs provide bones that can be spent in the Bone Shop.

Players can then use those rewards to become stronger.

Quests can also unlock additional upgrades, arenas and skins.

Why Blood Dungeon Could Work Well on Game Pass

Games with simple mechanics can sometimes become surprisingly addictive.

Blood Dungeon appears to be built around that principle.

A typical run can be understood quickly, but mastering movement and surviving increasingly difficult situations should require practice.

That makes it an ideal candidate for short sessions.

Players can jump in, complete a run and try again without needing to commit to a massive campaign.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Is the Biggest Addition

The most recognizable title in the second wave is arguably Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy.

It arrives on August 27 through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, with cloud, Xbox Series X|S, handheld and PC availability listed by Xbox.

The game follows Sophia on a journey to the Minotaur's Island.

The adventure combines exploration, puzzles, combat and survival.

Players must navigate dangerous trails while dealing with an army pursuing them.

But the island itself presents an even greater threat.

According to Xbox's description, a terrifying creature connected to the myth awaits Sophia.

What Makes Resonance Interesting?

The game appears designed around a mixture of story-driven adventure and action.

That combination could appeal to players who enjoy narrative-heavy games but still want exploration and combat.

The A Plague Tale name also gives the game an immediate connection to an established audience.

However, the Legacy subtitle indicates that this is a new experience rather than simply another update to the earlier games.

Its August 27 Game Pass launch gives subscribers a straightforward way to experience it without buying the game separately.

Young Suns Arrives on August 31

The final major August addition is Young Suns, which launches on August 31.

The game is a narrative life simulation experience set after a successful revolution on Jupiter.

Players can explore planetoids, abandoned ruins and converted stations while helping the population rebuild.

It can be played alone or with up to three friends.

That makes Young Suns particularly interesting because it mixes life-sim mechanics with science-fiction exploration.

Instead of focusing on destroying an enemy civilization, the game's setting is about what happens after a revolution succeeds.

The player is essentially helping build something new.

That premise gives it a different tone from many sci-fi games.

Egging On Is Already Available

The first game in the new wave, Egging On, became available August 18.

The game puts players in control of a fragile egg trying to escape a dangerous environment.

Players jump, roll and climb through areas including a farm shop and factory.

Xbox has added the game to Game Pass Premium while it remains available through Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

It is an intentionally unusual concept.

Rather than using a powerful character with weapons and abilities, the game turns something extremely fragile into the protagonist.

That creates a simple premise with plenty of room for physics-based challenges.

What Games Are Leaving Xbox Game Pass?

The second half of August is not only about additions.

Several games are also leaving the Game Pass library.

Xbox has confirmed the following titles will leave on August 31:

• Another Crab's Treasure
• I Am Your Beast
• Neon Abyss
• One Lonely Outpost
• The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt – Remastered Edition

Another title, NBA 2K26, is scheduled to leave on September 6.

This is important for subscribers who have unfinished campaigns.

If any of these games are sitting in your backlog, the remaining time is limited.

The Witcher 3 Is the Biggest Game Leaving

Among the departures, The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt – Remastered Edition is arguably the most significant.

The game is one of the best-known RPGs in the library, and its removal could encourage Game Pass subscribers who have been delaying their playthrough to finally start it.

The August 31 deadline is especially important because RPGs can take dozens of hours to complete.

Players who only have a few evenings available may not be able to finish the entire game before it leaves.

For that reason, subscribers should prioritize it if it is already on their backlog.

NBA 2K26 Gets a Few Extra Days

NBA 2K26 has a slightly different schedule.

Xbox lists it as leaving Game Pass on September 6, giving subscribers an additional week compared with the games leaving August 31.

That gives sports fans a little more time to experience the basketball title.

However, players should still pay attention to the date because Game Pass availability can change once a game leaves the service.

Why This Game Pass Wave Matters

The August Wave 2 lineup shows how Microsoft is using Game Pass to provide a broad mixture of experiences.

There is no single genre dominating the list.

Players can choose from:

• Souls-like platforming
• Roguelite action
• Heist gameplay
• Cozy life simulation
• FPS racing
• Survival platforming
• Narrative adventure
• Science-fiction life simulation

That variety is one of the strongest reasons the subscription service remains useful for players who enjoy experimenting with different genres.

The Day-One Strategy Continues

One of the most important aspects of the announcement is the number of day-one releases.

Vapor World: Over the Mind, Blood Dungeon and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy are all being positioned as day-one Game Pass releases for eligible subscribers.

This strategy changes how players discover games.

Without a subscription, a player may ignore an unfamiliar title because they are unsure whether it is worth buying.

With Game Pass, that barrier is significantly lower.

Players can experiment.

If they enjoy the game, they continue playing.

If they do not, they can move to another title.

That can be especially valuable for smaller games that might otherwise struggle to attract attention.

Which August Game Pass Addition Should You Play First?

There is no single answer because the lineup covers several genres.

For Story-Focused Players

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy should be near the top of the list.

Its combination of narrative, exploration, puzzles and combat makes it the most obvious choice for players who want a traditional story-driven adventure.

For Challenging Combat

Vapor World: Over the Mind is worth watching.

Its souls-like combat and deflection mechanics could appeal to players who enjoy learning enemy patterns and improving through repeated attempts.

For Fast Gameplay

Aerial_Knight's DropShot looks like the better choice.

The combination of FPS combat and racing should create a much faster experience.

For Relaxation

Starsand Island is the obvious pick.

The game's focus on fishing, animals, exploration and island life makes it the calmest addition.

For Short, Replayable Sessions

Blood Dungeon could be the strongest option.

Its run-based survival structure encourages players to repeatedly attempt difficult dungeon challenges.

Game Pass Subscribers Have Plenty to Play

The August 2026 second wave is another example of Microsoft's attempt to keep the Game Pass library constantly moving.

New games arrive throughout the month, while others leave.

That means subscribers have to keep an eye on the schedule instead of assuming that every game will remain permanently available.

The current wave is particularly strong because several additions are completely new experiences.

Rather than filling the lineup entirely with older catalog games, Microsoft is also using Game Pass to introduce subscribers to new releases.

What Happens Next?

The August schedule will eventually transition into September's lineup.

For now, the immediate focus should be on the games arriving between August 19 and August 31.

The biggest dates to remember are:

August 19: Vapor World: Over the Mind, BlazBlue Entropy Effect X and Relooted

August 20: Starsand Island

August 25: Aerial_Knight's DropShot and Blood Dungeon

August 27: Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

August 31: Young Suns

At the same time, August 31 is also the departure date for five games.

The Xbox Game Pass August 2026 Wave 2 lineup is shaping up to be one of the more diverse batches of the month.

There is something for almost every type of player.

Vapor World: Over the Mind targets players looking for challenging action and psychological storytelling.

Relooted brings an unusual Africanfuturist heist concept.

Starsand Island offers a relaxed alternative built around exploration, animals and island life.

Aerial_Knight's DropShot combines FPS combat with high-speed racing.

Blood Dungeon focuses on short, replayable survival runs.

And Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy brings a larger narrative adventure to Game Pass on August 27.

The lineup also demonstrates why day-one releases remain important to Microsoft's subscription strategy.

Instead of asking players to spend money on every unfamiliar game, Game Pass allows subscribers to experiment with a wider selection.

That can be especially valuable for smaller projects that might otherwise be overlooked.

At the same time, subscribers should remember that Game Pass is constantly changing.

Several notable games, including The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt – Remastered Edition, Another Crab's Treasure, Neon Abyss and I Am Your Beast, are leaving on August 31.

For players with unfinished games in their libraries, this is a good time to check the leaving-soon list before starting another massive adventure.

Overall, Microsoft's latest announcement gives Xbox Game Pass subscribers plenty of reasons to return to the service during the final weeks of August.

The most important upcoming date is likely August 27, when Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy joins the service.

But the broader lineup is arguably more interesting than any single game.

With action, adventure, survival, simulation, racing and narrative experiences arriving within a short period, the second half of August is giving Game Pass subscribers a lot to explore.

11. Frequently Asked Questions

What is coming to Xbox Game Pass in August 2026 Wave 2?

The second wave includes Egging On, Vapor World: Over the Mind, BlazBlue Entropy Effect X, Relooted, Starsand Island, Aerial_Knight's DropShot, Blood Dungeon, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy and Young Suns.

When is Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy coming to Game Pass?

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy arrives on August 27, 2026 for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Xbox lists cloud, Xbox Series X|S, handheld and PC availability.