Microsoft adds Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy to Xbox and PC Game Pass
The second August wave features day-one releases from acclaimed indie developers and a major franchise prequel.
Microsoft has announced the second batch of titles arriving on Xbox and PC Game Pass for the latter half of August. The update is headlined by two high-profile day-one releases and a rotation of indie titles, alongside the departure of a major RPG.
Leading the new additions is Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, which arrives on the service day-one on August 27. Joining it is Blood Dungeon, a Metroidvania-style title from Messhof, the creator of Nidhogg, launching day-one on August 25. According to Eurogamer, the lineup also includes a variety of smaller titles: Vapor World: Over the Mind, BlazBlue Entropy Effect X, and Relooted all arrive on August 19, followed by Starsand Island on August 20. Aerial_Knight's DropShot joins the library on August 25, Young Suns on August 31, and Shelldiver on September 1.
Library Rotation
Xbox Game Pass typically updates its library in waves, adding and removing content twice a month to maintain a rotating catalog of games. This strategy allows Microsoft to blend high-profile launches with a diverse array of indie projects while managing the licensing of legacy content. As part of this month's rotation, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Remastered/Complete Edition) is scheduled to leave the service on August 31.
Subscription Value
The inclusion of a major franchise prequel like Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy as a day-one title reinforces the core value proposition of the Game Pass subscription, providing members immediate access to new releases without an additional purchase. Simultaneously, the addition of Blood Dungeon is designed to attract fans of established indie developers. The removal of a heavyweight title like The Witcher 3 serves as a critical deadline for subscribers to complete the game before it exits the ecosystem.
What to Watch
While the release dates for the August wave are now confirmed, users should monitor the service for any last-minute changes to the departure schedule. The transition of the library into September begins with the arrival of Shelldiver, marking the start of the next monthly cycle of additions and removals.