Xbox Game Pass August 2023 lineup includes Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Microsoft has announced the new additions to Xbox Game Pass for the second half of August 2023, and it’s a decent mix: two beloved, thoughtful indies of the last few years, and two interesting prospects debuting on day one.

Four games have been selected. Firewatch, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Sea of Stars” Gris, and they’re all coming to cloud, console, and Windows PC.

FirewatchIt is a 2016 influential narrative first-person game that follows a fire watcher who must solve a puzzle in the quiet, unspoiled woods of a National Park during the late 80s. Valve acquired Campo Santo in 2018, and since then, the developer has been largely silent. What is their plan?

GrisThis stylish platformer was first released in 2018 and is melancholic. Chilled out, gorgeous, and subtly affecting, it’s well worth a revisit (or a first go).

Texas Chainsaw Massacre, debuting on Game Pass on day one, is Gun Interactive’s attempt to repeat the success of The Game of Friday 13thAs a result of licensing issues, it has been forced to shutdown the site. Once again, it’s an asymmetrical multiplayer gamer pitting a slasher villain against survivors, based on a classic horror movie license.

Finally, Sea of StarsIt’s a retro, turn-based game that is reminiscent of Super Nintendo classics. Unusually, this one is debuting on day one on both Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Premium — props to developer Sabotage Studio for managing to cut deals with both subscription services.

Here’s when and where these games and others will become available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers:

• Firewatch — Available Aug. 17, via console, cloud and Windows PC
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre — available Aug. 18 via cloud, console, and Windows PC
• Sea of Stars — available Aug. 29 via cloud, console, and Windows PC
• Gris — available Sep. 5 via cloud, console, and Windows PC

Like always, some games will have to be retired to make way for the new additions. Bid farewell to Black Desert, Commandos 3, The Immortal Life, Nuclear Throne, Surgeon Simulator 2.” TinykinThe 31st of August is a holiday.