25 Game Pass Must‑Plays for August 2025 — Avowed, Metaphor, We Love Katamari and More
Microsoft’s Game Pass catalog keeps expanding, and in August 2025 Polygon updated a curated list of the 25 best Game Pass games for PC and Xbox. The list highlights a mix of day-one releases, indie standouts, and long-running classics that are available via Game Pass on Windows PC and Xbox consoles. It was last updated on August 20, 2025 to add Metaphor: ReFantazio.
- Quick overview of what this article covers: selection method, platforms, and short facts about each of the 25 games on the August 2025 Game Pass list.
How we picked the best games on Game Pass
Polygon’s staff tested and recommended every title on this list. In addition to overall quality, the selection prioritized variety across genres and platforms so subscribers can find something that fits their tastes. Each game here was personally recommended by at least one member of the staff.
The 25 best Game Pass games (August 2025)
25. The Alters
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC and Xbox Series X/One. The Alters is a sci-fi adventure about cloning, resource management, and moral choices from 11 Bit Studios, the developer behind Frostpunk. The game focuses on survival on a hostile planet and managing multiple characters created from a single protagonist.
24. Avowed
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC and Xbox Series X. Avowed is a first-party Obsidian RPG published by Microsoft. The game offers an original fantasy story, party-driven role-playing, and melee and magic combat in a new setting developed by Obsidian Entertainment.
23. Blue Prince
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC and Xbox Series X. Blue Prince is an indie architectural roguelike puzzle mystery about exploring a resetting mansion and solving room-based puzzles. The mansion’s layout changes daily and players choose their route through a set of rooms at each door.
22. Cities: Skylines
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Cities: Skylines is a city-building simulation from Colossal Order that focuses on urban micromanagement and realistic city systems. It is frequently cited by planners and players for its depth and simulation fidelity.
21. Citizen Sleeper
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Citizen Sleeper is a tabletop-inspired narrative RPG set on a space station. Gameplay emphasizes time, energy, and relationship management, with outcomes shaped by player choices and dice-like mechanics.
20. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC and Xbox Series X. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG from Sandfall Interactive with an art style and tone influenced by French aesthetics and early-2000s Final Fantasy games. The story centers on an expedition to stop a supernatural threat.
19. Cocoon
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Cocoon is a puzzle adventure from Geometric Interactive. The game uses nested pocket universes as a central mechanic and features a wordless, contemplative narrative with environmental puzzles.
18. Control
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Control is a third-person action-adventure from Remedy Entertainment. Players explore the Oldest House, a shifting building controlled by paranormal forces, while using supernatural abilities and firearms.
17. Diablo 4
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Diablo 4 is Blizzard Entertainment’s action-RPG in the Diablo franchise. The title received a major seasonal update called Loot Reborn that adjusted loot systems, crafting, and world events like Helltides.
16. Doom (2016)
Where to play: Game Pass on Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Doom (2016) is a reboot of the classic shooter series from id Software. The game features fast-paced movement, a range of weapons including a chainsaw, and a heavy metal soundtrack.
15. Fallout: New Vegas
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Fallout: New Vegas is an Obsidian-developed entry in the Fallout series. The game emphasizes player choice, branching quests, and a western-themed interpretation of the post-apocalyptic setting.
14. Forza Horizon 5
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Forza Horizon 5 is an open-world racing game set in a fictionalized Mexico. The game offers a large vehicle roster, free-roam driving, and event-based activities across diverse biomes.
13. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The Master Chief Collection packages multiple Halo campaigns and multiplayer modes with updates and modern support for online play and split-screen co-op where available.
12. Hi-Fi Rush
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC and Xbox Series X. Hi‑Fi Rush is an action game from Tango Gameworks that integrates rhythm elements into combat and traversal. The game provides visual cues for rhythmic play while not requiring strict timing to progress.
11. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC and Xbox Series X. Developed by MachineGames, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a first-person action-adventure that mixes combat, puzzles, and stealth, and includes immersive-sim influences alongside narrative exploration.
10. Inscryption
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Inscryption is a multi-genre game by Daniel Mullins Games that begins as a roguelite card game inside a cabin setting and later reveals additional layers and gameplay styles, including ARG-style elements.
9. Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC and Xbox Series X. Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders is a skiing sequel to Lonely Mountains: Downhill from Megagon Industries. The game focuses on tactile controls, time-attack runs, and instant-restart challenges on mountain slopes.
8. Metaphor: ReFantazio
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC and Xbox Series X. Metaphor: ReFantazio is an original JRPG from Atlus that uses turn-based combat and a calendar-based social system similar to Persona. The game is a large fantasy RPG released in 2024 and was added to this Game Pass list in August 2025.
7. Octopath Traveler 2
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Octopath Traveler 2 uses Square Enix’s HD-2D visuals and features eight protagonists with separate stories. The combat centers on breaking enemy defenses and using boost points for strategic damage.
6. Pentiment
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Pentiment is an Obsidian narrative adventure set in early modern Europe. The game uses manuscript-inspired visuals and focuses on dialogue, investigation, and consequences over time.
5. Slay the Spire
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Slay the Spire is a deck-building roguelite where players construct a card deck during runs and progress through a randomized map of encounters. Each character has unique cards and playstyles.
4. Stardew Valley
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Stardew Valley is a farming-simulation RPG by ConcernedApe. Players restore and manage a farm, mine, fish, and build relationships with townspeople across many hours of gameplay.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Shredder’s Revenge is a side‑scrolling beat ’em up by Tribute Games and Dotemu. The game features co-op play, a world map, quests, and modern updates to classic arcade-style brawling.
2. Vampire Survivors
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Vampire Survivors is an auto‑shooter roguelite where players choose a character and items, then survive waves of enemies while weapons fire automatically. Progression unlocks additional characters and upgrades.
1. We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie
Where to play: Game Pass on Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie is a remaster of Keita Takahashi’s Katamari sequel. Gameplay centers on rolling a sticky ball (katamari) to collect objects and grow in size, with a distinctive surreal presentation and soundtrack.
Final notes
Overall, the list aims to represent a wide range of genres and play styles available on Game Pass in August 2025. For platform details, check each game’s store page on Microsoft’s services, since availability can vary by region and console generation.
