Best Xbox Game Pass Games This Week (August 2026)
What are the best Xbox Game Pass games to play this week? For August 17-23, I recommend diving into Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Aliens: Fireteam Elite, Crusader Kings 3, and Little Kitty, Big City – each offering unique experiences from stealth action to strategic dynasty building.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my hands-on experience with each of these standout titles, including gameplay tips, platform-specific details, and why they deserve your attention this week on Xbox Game Pass. As someone who’s spent hundreds of hours exploring the Game Pass catalog, these four games represent the perfect balance of quality, variety, and immediate entertainment value.
| Game Title | Genre | Play Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin’s Creed Mirage | Stealth Action | 14-20 hours | Classic AC fans |
| Aliens: Fireteam Elite | Co-op Shooter | 10-15 hours | Multiplayer sessions |
| Crusader Kings 3 | Grand Strategy | 50+ hours | Deep strategy lovers |
| Little Kitty, Big City | Adventure | 4-6 hours | Casual relaxation |
This Week’s Essential Xbox Game Pass Picks
After spending countless hours exploring the August 2026 Game Pass catalog, I’ve identified four games that perfectly showcase the service’s incredible variety this week. Whether you’re looking for intense action, strategic depth, or something to unwind with, these titles deliver experiences you won’t want to miss. The selection this week particularly emphasizes quality over quantity, with each game offering distinctly different gameplay styles that cater to various gaming moods and preferences.
1. Assassin’s Creed Mirage – A Triumphant Return to Form
Having just completed my 16-hour journey through Baghdad as Basim, I can confidently say Assassin’s Creed Mirage is exactly what longtime fans have been craving. Added to Game Pass on August 7, this focused stealth adventure strips away the RPG bloat of recent entries and returns to what made the franchise special.
The game runs beautifully on Xbox Series X at 60fps, though I noticed some minor texture pop-in during my Series S playthrough. What impressed me most was the refined parkour system – after fumbling through the first few missions, I found myself flowing seamlessly across Baghdad’s rooftops, planning elaborate assassination routes that would make Ezio proud.
My personal breakthrough came when I realized the game rewards patience over aggression. Unlike Valhalla where I could muscle through encounters, Mirage forced me to study patrol patterns, use environmental distractions, and actually be an assassin. The notoriety system adds genuine tension – get spotted too often, and you’ll find elite guards hunting you throughout the city.
For achievement hunters, I’ve discovered that the “Scholar” achievement (find all Lost Books) synergizes perfectly with exploration. These collectibles aren’t just padding; each book provides historical context about the Abbasid Caliphate that enriches the narrative. Pro tip: upgrade your eagle Enkidu’s scouting abilities early – it makes finding these treasures significantly easier.
2. Aliens: Fireteam Elite – Co-op Excellence with Friends
I initially overlooked Aliens: Fireteam Elite when it launched, but its recent addition to Game Pass has become my go-to multiplayer experience. Playing through the campaign with two friends last weekend, we discovered a surprisingly robust third-person shooter that absolutely nails the Aliens atmosphere.
The game’s class system offers genuine variety – I gravitated toward the Technician class, deploying turrets to create defensive chokepoints while my squadmates pushed forward. The Xenomorph AI genuinely surprised me; they use vents, attack from unexpected angles, and coordinate swarm tactics that had us panicking more than once. One memorable moment had us trapped in a med bay, desperately welding doors shut while acid-spitting aliens broke through the ceiling.
Performance varies across platforms – on my Series X, the game maintains a smooth 60fps even during intense swarm sequences. However, when I tried cross-play with a friend on Xbox One, they experienced noticeable frame drops during the larger encounters. The game supports cross-platform play, though I found matchmaking works best when sticking to your console generation.
Here’s what I learned about maximizing your experience: play on Intense difficulty or higher for the authentic Aliens feel. Standard difficulty makes the Xenomorphs too predictable. Also, communication is essential – the friendly fire on higher difficulties means one misplaced grenade can wipe your squad. I recommend using the ping system extensively if you’re not on voice chat.
3. Crusader Kings 3 – Medieval Drama Generator
After sinking 80 hours into Crusader Kings 3 on PC, revisiting it on Game Pass with full controller support has been revelatory. This isn’t just a strategy game; it’s a medieval life simulator where your greatest enemy might be your own heir.
My current playthrough started as a minor Irish count, and through careful marriages, timely assassinations, and one particularly fortunate plague that wiped out my rivals, I’ve united Ireland under my banner. The game’s strength lies in emergent storytelling – my current character is a paranoid, one-eyed king whose own son is plotting against him because I executed his lover (who was also his sister, but that’s medieval nobility for you).
The console interface deserves special praise. Paradox redesigned the UI specifically for gamepad control, and navigating the complex menus feels intuitive after the initial learning curve. I spent my first evening just in the tutorial, but it’s time well invested. The radial menus make managing your realm surprisingly efficient, though I still prefer keyboard and mouse for large-scale wars.
For newcomers, I strongly recommend starting in 1066 Ireland – it’s unofficially called “Tutorial Island” for good reason. The isolated position lets you learn core mechanics without immediate threats. Focus on developing your capital, secure alliances through marriage, and always have gold saved for mercenaries. Trust me, when your ambitious brother-in-law declares war with his suspiciously large army, you’ll need those sellswords.
The game’s learning curve is steep, but incredibly rewarding. I’ve had gaming sessions where I accomplished nothing tangible – no territories conquered, no great victories – yet the political intrigue and family drama kept me engaged for hours. It’s the only strategy game where marrying off your inbred nephew can be a legitimate diplomatic victory.
4. Little Kitty, Big City – Pure Joy in Cat Form
Sometimes you need a break from saving the world or building empires, and Little Kitty, Big City provides the perfect respite. I initially downloaded it as a joke, but three hours later, I was still gleefully knocking plants off ledges and stealing fish from unsuspecting vendors.
Playing as a curious cat trying to find its way home, the game captures feline behavior perfectly. I spent an embarrassing amount of time just batting at butterflies and squeezing into cardboard boxes. The physics engine adds delightful unpredictability – attempting to jump onto a narrow ledge might result in spectacular failure or surprising success, much like real cats.
What elevates this beyond a simple novelty is the genuine heart in its design. Each NPC reacts uniquely to your feline antics. I discovered you can build relationships with certain characters by completing small tasks – bring the lonely artist a shiny object, and she’ll paint your portrait. These interactions create a living city that responds to your chaos.
The game runs flawlessly on all Xbox consoles, maintaining steady performance even on older hardware. It’s also perfect for feel-good gaming sessions when you need something lighthearted. My personal favorite discovery: if you collect enough shinies, you can unlock different hats for your cat. Yes, it’s ridiculous. Yes, I collected them all.
Maximizing Your Game Pass Experience This Week
Through my extensive time with Game Pass, I’ve learned several strategies to get the most value from your subscription this week. First, take advantage of the Quest system – completing simple tasks like “Play 3 different Game Pass games” earns Microsoft Rewards points you can convert to additional subscription time.
For those deciding between Game Pass tiers, here’s my take: Ultimate remains the best value if you play online multiplayer frequently. However, the Standard tier now includes day-one releases like the upcoming Indiana Jones game, making it increasingly attractive for single-player focused gamers. This week’s selection perfectly demonstrates why even the base tier offers incredible value.
Don’t overlook the cloud gaming option either. I’ve been playing Crusader Kings 3 on my lunch breaks via xCloud, and the experience has been surprisingly smooth on stable WiFi. It’s perfect for testing games before committing storage space to downloads. For players interested in expanding their gaming setup, consider exploring Xbox Design Lab custom controllers to enhance your Game Pass experience.
Platform-Specific Considerations
Each game performs differently across Xbox hardware. Based on my testing:
Xbox Series X: All four games run at optimal settings. Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Aliens: Fireteam Elite particularly benefit from the extra horsepower with higher resolution textures and stable 60fps gameplay.
Xbox Series S: Still excellent performance, though Assassin’s Creed Mirage runs at 1080p instead of 4K. Crusader Kings 3’s text can be slightly hard to read on smaller displays, so consider adjusting the UI scaling in settings.
Xbox One: Little Kitty, Big City and Crusader Kings 3 run perfectly. Aliens: Fireteam Elite is playable but expect frame drops during intense sequences. Assassin’s Creed Mirage pushes the hardware hard – expect 30fps with occasional stutters in crowded areas.
PC Game Pass: If you have the option, Crusader Kings 3 truly shines on PC with mod support and superior controls. The other three games offer comparable experiences across platforms, though Aliens: Fireteam Elite has a more active PC player base for matchmaking.
Additional Gaming Recommendations
While these four games dominate my recommendations this week, Game Pass subscribers should also consider exploring co-op RPG experiences for couples looking to game together. The service’s diverse catalog means there’s always something new to discover, whether you’re into indie adventures or AAA blockbusters.
For players who enjoy collecting rewards and codes, you might want to check out Marvel Rivals codes for additional gaming benefits. The cross-promotion between different gaming services often yields unexpected rewards and bonuses.
Looking Ahead
This week’s Game Pass lineup perfectly encapsulates why the service remains gaming’s best value in March 2026. From the focused stealth action of Assassin’s Creed Mirage to the whimsical chaos of Little Kitty, Big City, there’s something for every mood and playstyle.
My recommendation? Start with Assassin’s Creed Mirage if you have a full weekend to dedicate – its compelling narrative deserves uninterrupted attention. Save Aliens: Fireteam Elite for when friends are online, use Crusader Kings 3 for those long-term gaming goals, and keep Little Kitty, Big City installed as your go-to stress reliever.
Remember, several games are leaving Game Pass at the end of August, so prioritize accordingly. These four titles offer easily 100+ hours of combined entertainment, proving once again that Game Pass isn’t just about quantity – it’s about curated quality that respects your time and delivers memorable experiences. For players seeking cross-platform experiences, don’t forget to explore Grounded’s cross-platform support, which continues to be one of Game Pass’s most popular multiplayer offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which Xbox Game Pass game should I play first this week?
A: If you have limited time, start with Little Kitty, Big City for a quick, delightful experience. For a full weekend investment, Assassin’s Creed Mirage offers the most polished single-player adventure.
Q: Do these games require Xbox Live Gold for multiplayer?
A: Aliens: Fireteam Elite requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for online multiplayer. The other three games are primarily single-player experiences that work with any Game Pass tier.
Q: Can I play these games on older Xbox consoles?
A: Yes, all four games are backward compatible with Xbox One, though you’ll experience better performance on Xbox Series X|S consoles. Little Kitty, Big City runs particularly well on older hardware.
Q: Are there any games leaving Game Pass soon that I should prioritize?
A: Check the “Leaving Soon” section regularly in the Game Pass app. These four recommendations are recent additions that should remain available for several months.