Even though there's rumors of Xbox Live and Games with Gold getting a major overhaul for Xbox Series X, August's Games with Gold titles should still be on the way. Every month, Xbox Live Gold members are gifted various Xbox games for free, so long as their Live subscription is still active. The selection for Games with Gold is a seemingly random grab-bag of triple-A titles in their twilight, or indie delights that deserve more attention. July's Games with Gold included WRC 8 FIA World Rally Championship, Dunk Lords, Saints Row 2, and Juju.
As the next month of free games closes in, there's a few selections that would be perfect for the Games with Gold service. These aren't a prediction for what to expect, moreso a selection of games that would make sense and succeed on the Games with Gold lineup. Since Xbox's selection process for Games for Gold is typically nebulous, it's hard to accurately gauge what's coming next for Xbox's Games with Gold. Since last month's selection did get some negative attention, here's a selection of games that would be perfect for August's Games with Gold to bring it back to the positive.
RELATED:Â Free Xbox Games With Gold for July 2020 Revealed
Doom (2016)
It's unusual that this fantastic reboot of the iconic shooter franchise hasn't been part of Games with Gold yet. Reinvigorating the series after basically 12 years, Doom brought the hyper-violent and breakneck shooter back to modern audiences in a big way. Doom was largely faithful to its predecessors without sacrificing any of the once revolutionary gunplay. Players take on the typical role of "Doom Guy," who is otherwise nameless, and basically need to kill demons. There's some subtle lore and narrative players can find, but the majority of the game's focus is on mastering movement and shredding enemies as efficiently as possible. Obviously the series is known for its gorey and arcadey gameplay, and 2016's Doom was the perfect way to modernize that feeling on the latest generation graphics and technology.
Katana Zero
In the world of ever-popular one hit games like Hotline Miami, players would be interesting in hopping into Katana Zero. Katana Zero essentially captures the same vibes as its inspiration, but Katana Zero has its own unique identity and twist on the subgenre. Players control a nameless samurai/assassin who makes quick work of his targets by planning his attacks within his subsconscious. This contextualizes the scenarios in which players are presented: narrow 2D platforming levels with loads of enemies that can be tackled in a variety of ways. Players only have access to the titular katana, but have the mobility and skills to back it up. Players can dodge roll and air dodge bast bullets, deflect bullets with the katana back at enemies, and utilize a cooldown-based bullet time mechanic to get the edge on enemies. Fast-paced and flexibly challenging, Katana Zero is a unique but enjoyable twist on 2D action platformers that emphasizes a formidable challenge.
Skate 3 (Xbox 360)
With the announcement of a new Skate game on the way with EA, now would be the perfect time to return to one of the series' best outings. Skate 3 was the last game in the franchise to release before the franchise took a long-extended hiatus that Skate fans were very vocal about ending. The journey is pretty straight forward: new skater on the block wants to make a name for himself. The innovative Flick-It gameplay mechanics return and are as refined as ever. Skate 3 also introduced new difficulty settings, one for hardcore players that requires the utmost precision, and one for newer players who just want to enjoy the game with more lenient inputs. Skate 3 also leaned more into the cooperative/multiplayer experience, where players could form competitive skate crews and work together for rewards and reputation. Skate 3 was the epitome of the series before its break, and adding it on Games with Gold would be the best way to celebrate the new game.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Original Xbox)
Rumors continue to fly about Grand Theft Auto 6, but most prominently rumored is the expected return to Vice City. Since it'll likely be a few years before Grand Theft Auto 6 comes out, players could theoretically go back now with Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Taking on the decade of the 80s, Vice City puts players in the shoes of Tommy Vercetti as he works to establish a new drug trafficking operation in Rockstar's version of Miami. The game plays out as close to the iconic 80s crime movies of the time, even directly referencing events from movies like Scarface and Miami Vice. Everything about Vice City's world, like the music and environment design, emphasized the neon-filled decade of the 80s to great success. Assuming the next game returns to the tropical city again, players should return to one of the best Grand Theft Auto games of all time.
The Xbox Games with Gold have yet to be announced for August 2020.