Xbox adds 6 critically acclaimed new free games for Game Pass subscribers

Xbox users can get their hands on six incredible games throughout August, including one of my personal all-time favourites.

One of the best things Xbox currently has going for it is Xbox Game Pass. For a monthly fee you get access to a huge library of games, including exclusives, indies, and all the big new Xbox releases. You could, for example, pay for one month, play the crap out of Starfield in September, then sack it off. Genius.

Xbox has now announced which new games will be joining Game Pass in the first half of August, and there are some genuine bangers. Celeste, one of the best action-platformers ever made, was recently added to the service after a brief time away, and it's one I can't recommend enough.

Brutally challenging but filled with heart, warmth, and humour, Celeste really is one of the best games you'll ever play. If you can persevere through its demands you'll walk away all the better for having experienced it.

Celeste will be joined by A Short Hike, Broforce Forever, Limbo, Airborne Kingdom, and Everspace 2 throughout the month.

That's a damn solid list, and I would certainly urge anyone who hasn't played A Short Hike or Limbo to give them a whirl. The two games couldn't be more different, but both are short, sweet, and deeply impactful experiences that'll definitely leave you thinking.

I can't really speak for the other three games, having not played 'em, but I'm certainly intending to check out Broforce Foever. Because it looks truly unhinged in the best possible way.

• Now - Celeste (cloud, console, and PC)
• 3 August - A Short Hike (cloud, console, PC)
• 8 August - Broforce Forever (cloud, console, and PC)
• 9 August - Limbo (cloud, console, and PC)
• 10 August - Airborne Kingdom (cloud, console, and PC)
• 15 August - Everspace 2 (cloud and Xbox Series X|S)

Anyway, if you want to play a game that punches you in the guy and deals with anxiety via ultra challenging platforming, go play Celeste. If you want a game that does basically the same thing but swaps platforming for chill exploration and fishing mini games, go play A Short Hike.