New to Xbox Game Pass – August 2022 Wave 1

After a varied wave of titles offered in the second half of July, we have another healthy mix to start the month of August. PC players are certainly getting their fill as all seven games are available on PC and three of them are exclusive to the platform. There are also two day one releases, so let’s not waste any more time and jump into what’s coming over the next two weeks.

Starting off the month and available now for cloud, console, and PC is Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands. Originally released in 2017, the tenth entry in the Ghost Recon series shakes up the formula by allowing up to four players to group up and tackle an open world and the missions within. It also differs by returning to a modern setting in comparison to the futuristic setting of previous installments.

The next two games are releasing on August 4th. Coming to PC is Shenzhen I/O. Developed with inspiration from real electronic engineering, this puzzle game centers around circuits that are built with different components and may require reading over 30 pages from an included manual. If you enjoy games from Zachtronics, which also released their final game as a day one release on Xbox Game Pass last month, you’re likely to enjoy yourself with this.

Coming to cloud, PC, and the Xbox Series X|S console platform as a day one release is Turbo Golf Racing. With inspiration from Rocket League and arcade racing titles, up to eight players can simultaneously compete against each other as they jump and flip their cars into their large golf balls towards the end goal. Both their cars and the golf balls can be customized to stand out from everyone else.

Another day one release and coming to cloud, console, and PC is Two Point Campus on August 9th. From the makers of Two Point Hospital comes a new sim that tasks players with running a university. From designing how the campus looks to deciding who you’ll hire, there is plenty to manage. It all takes place in a whacky world where some of the courses you’ll offer will include students baking large pies, jousting, and even a spy class.

The last three games are all coming out on August 11th. Coming to PC is Offworld Trading Company. This economic RTS presents the challenge of making a name for yourself on Mars after it has recently been colonized. Whether in single-player or in a multiplayer mode that supports up to eight players, the goal is to strategize with your resources and dominate the fresh market.

Also coming to PC is Expeditions: Rome. Released earlier this year, this single-player turn-based RPG has you decide the future of Rome with a customized character. Starting with a military campaign, your power and influence will grow and allow you to tackle the historically-inspired story in any way. More information can be read with Matthew’s review here.

Closing out the month and coming to cloud, console, and PC is Cooking Simulator. More than 80 recipes are available to make within a lifelike kitchen filled with numerous utensils. Players can choose to be even more creative and create their own dishes with any of the 140+ realistic ingredients.

That just leaves us with the games that will be leaving at the end of this wave. Players will have until August 15th if they want to play or finish any of the following five titles: Boyfriend Dungeon, Curse of the Dead Gods, Library of Ruina, Starmancer, and Train Sim World 2.