The six most exciting games releasing on Xbox in August 2026

We’re just a couple of weeks away from August, and while we may have GTA VI on our minds, we’ve still got plenty of other fantastic games to play before its highly anticipated arrival.

It’s very hard not to think about the next entry in Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto series. Even if you're not a fan, it's everywhere across social media right now, and will not be going away anytime soon; in fact, it’s probably going to get worse.

But if you are looking forward to the arrival of GTA VI, when the games listed in this article are released, you'll have three months (give or take) to get them done. So, you'd better get cracking as soon as you can.

Beast of Reincarnation – August 4

If you didn't already know, the developer of Beast of Reincarnation might surprise you, because it’s Game Freak Inc. who are, of course, the main developers of Nintendo’s iconic Pokémon video game series.

Beast of Reincarnation is a challenging action RPG, similar to the likes of Dark Souls and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, that will put your combat skills to the test. “Experience the innovative ‘one-person, one-dog action RPG’ in the beautiful yet harsh world of Beast of Reincarnation. What awaits at the end of Emma and Koo's journey?” reads the synopsis of the game.

Beast of Reincarnation, Fictions

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam – August 13

If you’re after a challenging military shooter, to really feel the action, then look no further than Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. Just a warning, if you go into this game like you’re playing Call of Duty or Battlefield, you will get torn to shreds. Strategy, teamwork and patience will be of the utmost importance in this next entry in the series from Expression Games.

“Step into the explosive fury of war with Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. Play a decisive role in one of the most iconic conflicts in history with expansive 50v50 player battles, where teamwork, tactics and an arsenal of destructive weapons combine to shape the battlefield in your favour,” reads the synopsis.

READ MORE: Every major new game releasing on PlayStation 5 in August 2026

EA Sports Madden NFL 27 – August 13

This iconic NFL series has been going for a staggering 38 years, after the first game was released on PC all the way back in 1988. With each year that comes, the series looks better, has deeper tactic mechanics, and takes one step closer to truly reflecting its real-life counterpart. Sadly, there’s not much we can do about the influx of microtransactions, though.

“Run the league one decision at a time. Madden NFL 27, powered by the all-new Persona Engine, transforms Franchise into a reactive, always-evolving league where every NFL athlete has a distinct, realistic personality that informs their motivations, demands, and reactions,” reads the description of the game.

EA Sports Madden NFL 27, Electronic Arts

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 – August 27

This release is an absolute treat for Metal Gear Solid fans, not only because it includes the at times under appreciated Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, but also, finally, fans of the series who never owned a PS3 can play Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots on other platforms.

Peace Walker is great and all, but not having to boot up a PlayStation 3 to play Metal Gear Solid 4 is so unbelievably overdue, it’s silly. This two-game collection also includes a digital screenplay book for each game, a Master Book featuring tons of story and character insights, but also Metal Gear Ghost Babel and the Metal Gear Solid: Digital Soundtrack Vol 2.

Gameplay footage released in May reminded us why Metal Gear Solid is the GOAT. We can't wait.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy – August 27

This is the prequel to fantastic and disturbing (especially if you hate rats), A Plague Tale: Innocence and A Plague Tale: Requiem, developed by Asobo Studio. However, rather than taking place in southern France, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is set in 14th-century Crete, about 15 years before the first game.

“Embark on an original story, prequel to the award-winning games: A Plague Tale. As Sophia, journey to the Minotaur’s Island, outsmart deadly foes, unravel ancient secrets, and confront a mythical creature at the heart of a devastating curse,” reads the synopsis of the game.

Star Wars Zero Company – August 27

This is something a little different from the first-person or third-person action games that were used to from Star Wars releases, because Star Wars Zero Company is a turn-based tactics game from the new studio, Bit Reactor. However, while this is a new studio, it includes developers who worked on the XCOM series, so it comes with a massive pedigree.

“Command an elite squad through a gritty and authentic story in Star Wars Zero Company, a single-player turn-based tactics game set in the twilight of the Clone Wars,” reads the synopsis of the game. “You will step into the shoes of Hawks, a former Republic officer who leads Zero Company as they are recruited for an operation that pits them against an emerging threat that will consume the galaxy if left unchecked.”