The first wave of games for Xbox Game Pass in August 2025 has been unveiled, bringing a mix of highly anticipated titles and returning favorites. Subscribers can look forward to diving into Assassin's Creed Mirage, 9 Kings, and several other exciting games, with one title making a comeback after nearly three years away.

Microsoft's subscription service follows its usual schedule, announcing the monthly Wave 1 lineup on the first Tuesday of each month. While July 2025 saw seven titles added in the first half, August's initial wave expands the offering with eight games. Half of these are brand-new to the service, including Rain World, Assassin's Creed Mirage, Aliens: Fireteam Elite, and 9 Kings. The remaining four are additions to the Xbox Game Pass Standard tier: Citizen Sleeper 2, Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders, MechWarrior 5: Clans, and Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap.

The release schedule kicks off with Rain World, available from August 5, followed by the four Xbox Game Pass Standard titles arriving on August 6. Notably, this month's Wave 1 doesn’t include any day-one additions for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which isn't surprising given the typically slower summer release period. However, subscribers can anticipate two major day-one titles later in the month: Herdling on August 21 and Gears of War: Reloaded on August 26.

Microsoft's strategy for Standard-tier releases continues as planned, with most day-one titles taking six to twelve months to reach this tier. Since none of the upcoming Standard additions are from Xbox-owned studios, their stay in the library might be shorter than a year. Additionally, Microsoft has confirmed the departure of Anthem, Farming Simulator 22, and Persona 3 Reload from the service on August 15.