It’s been a huge week for video games. From AAA announcements that made crowds go wild to release date reveals that felt like long-awaited victories, there’s no shortage of reasons for the gaming world to buzz with excitement this summer. Gamescom has kept fans talking nonstop, whether it’s surprise sequels, long-teased updates finally getting a date, or entirely new projects stepping into the spotlight.
For Xbox Series X/S players, all that energy doesn’t have to stay in the headlines. This is the perfect moment to channel the hype into actual playtime with games that complement the week’s biggest reveals. Whether it’s revisiting an indie classic whose long-awaited sequel is finally on the calendar, catching up with a blockbuster franchise before its next entry drops, or replaying a strategy experiment that’s suddenly newly relevant thanks to a sequel announcement, there’s a lot on Xbox that ties directly into what the industry is buzzing about right now.
And as the season begins to wind down ahead of Labor Day weekend, the timing couldn’t be better. End-of-summer often means slower schedules that brace for impact, long evenings, and a little extra space to sink into a new world, or return to a familiar one. These games to play this summer aren’t just worth revisiting on their own merits; they’re also the perfect way to ride the wave of excitement from this week’s news all the way into fall.
Hollow Knight
It’s a good week to be a Hollow Knight fan. After six years of agonizing anticipation, Team Cherry took the stage at Gamescom to announce Silksong’s long-awaited release date. With the sequel just two weeks away, there’s no better time to revisit (or finally discover)the haunting beauty of Hallownest. For returning players, diving back into Hollow Knight is like stepping into a living piece of art, where every corner hides a new secret. For newcomers, it’s easy to see why Silksong has been one of the most anticipated indie games in history: tight combat, sprawling exploration, and a world that feels alive in every shadow. Best of all, it’s available right now on Game Pass, making it a perfect warm-up before Silksong takes the spotlight.
Hollow Knight
- Released
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February 24, 2017
- ESRB
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E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
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Team Cherry
- Publisher(s)
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Team Cherry
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Can’t wait for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7? Then kill some time with its predecessor. The upcoming release offers plenty of content, from co-op campaign mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 filled with returning BO2 characters, to classic multiplayer, to the next iteration of CoD Zombies. But while the next installment looms large, Black Ops 6 is still fresh enough to scratch that trigger-happy itch. With its blend of cinematic storytelling and multiplayer mayhem, it remains one of the series’ most engaging entries. And thanks to Game Pass, it’s easier than ever to jump in while the anticipation for Black Ops 7 builds.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
9/10
- Released
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October 25, 2024
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Suggestive Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
Black Myth: Wukong
As a surprise announcement this week, Game of the Year nominee Black Myth: Wukong is getting a sequel. The first game wowed audiences with its jaw-dropping visuals, punishing Soulslike combat, and its bold reimagining of Chinese mythology. With a follow-up now in development, there’s no better moment to experience where it all began. Whether you’ve been following its development for years or only caught wind after its breakout success, Wukong is worth experiencing now that its universe is poised to expand.
Dawn of War 3
The announcement of Dawn of War 4 has Warhammer 40K fans buzzing, making this the perfect moment to revisit Dawn of War 3. Released as the most experimental entry in the series, it blended large-scale army battles with a stronger focus on hero units, creating a hybrid that divided longtime fans but carved out a unique niche. Revisiting it today offers a chance to see how DoW pushed the franchise forward, with the game also setting the stage for Dawn of War 4 and allowing players to see exactly what another entry refines or reimagines.
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