What you need to know
- Every month Microsoft gives Xbox Live Gold members four free games.
- In August, you can download titles like Gears of War 4 and Forza Motorsport 6.
- These are some of the best first-party games from Microsoft.
- You can purchase an Xbox Live Gold subscription through Amazon.
Today, Microsoft announced August's free Games with Gold for Xbox One and Xbox 360 owners. Starting on August 1, Gears of War 4 and Torchlight will be free with the subscription. Then, on August 16, Forza Motorsport 6 and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow can be downloaded at no cost. You need an active Xbox Live membership to play the Xbox One games, but the Xbox 360 titles are yours to keep after you redeem them once. It doesn't matter if you're still an Xbox Live Gold subscriber.
According to the company, August's lineup provides almost $95 in value and up to 6,200 in Gamerscore. You can read about the free games below.
Gears of War 4
A new saga begins for one of the most acclaimed video game franchises in history. After narrowly escaping an attack on their village, J. D. Fenix and his friends, Kait and Del, must rescue the ones they love and discover the source of a monstrous new enemy with connections to the past.
Forza Motorsport 6
Forza Motorsport 6 is one of the most beautiful and comprehensive racing game of this generation. Collect and race over 450 cars, all with working cockpits and full damage. Master wet weather and night racing on your road to victory. Compete in epic 24-player races across 26 world-famous locales, all at a stunning 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Left as a foundling at the gates of the Brotherhood of Light convent, they named him Gabriel and raised him as their own. Over the years he developed an unprecedented mastery of the fighting arts. Prone to dark moods, he was deeply affected by the death of his one true love, Marie. He has now embarked on a quest at the request of the Elders of the Brotherhood to discover why the world is in chaos.
Torchlight
Torchlight is an action role-playing game where you'll adventure through randomized dungeons, gathering powerful artifacts, slaying hordes of monsters, and learning new and devastating skills. Can you uncover the secrets buried beneath Torchlight?
Be sure to download all four of these games next month because many of them are great experiences. Out of all of these, we would recommend playing Gears of War 4 and Forza Motorsport 6 because they're incredible titles that hold up even after a few years.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate bundles Xbox Game Pass for Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass for PC, and Xbox Live Gold into one package. The monthly subscription fee goes up to $15 a month, but you gain access to over two hundred games instantaneously. Amazon is selling a three-month subscription for $45 at the moment.
Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold in one
Xbox Game Pass gives you access to over a hundred games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold to the package so you can play online with your friends. Right now, you can purchase a three-month subscription for $45 through Amazon.
Excellent and affordable Xbox accessories
Up your Xbox experience with one (or all) of these budget accessories, all of which are approved by the gamers of Windows Central.
PowerA Play & Charge Kit for Xbox One ($15 at Amazon)
This charging kit keeps your Xbox One wireless controllers juiced up, and it offers batteries for two controllers. At just $15, this is hands-down our favorite budget charging companion.
ElecGear 4 Port USB Xbox One S Hub ($19 at Amazon)
This brilliant little USB splitter hub attaches perfectly to the side of your Xbox One S console. It's ideal for use with chargers, controllers, headsets, and more.
Controller Gear stand ($13 at Amazon)
Proudly display your Xbox gamepads with this stylish and functional stand. The licensed design is minimalist and black, and it has a hidden storage compartment, making the price of $13 a real steal.
