Xbox Game Pass free games for July 2023

Xbox has announced the first lot of games coming to the Game Pass subscription service in July.

There are three variations of Microsoft's service: one for console, one for PC, and Ultimate – which combines the two and adds a cloud streaming option as well.

Leading the pack in terms of being the biggest title and already being available on Game Pass is Grand Theft Auto V (cloud, console). As the second best-selling game of all time, you've likely already played this one, but if not, a lengthy campaign and an endlessly popular and expansive online mode await.

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Also already live on Game Pass is Sword and Fairy: Together Forever (console, PC), a Chinese action RPG that draws on the country's mythology as humans, deities and demons go to war. Retro game parody action puzzler McPixel 3 (cloud, console, PC) is also available to play now.

Arriving on July 11 is Common’hood (cloud, console, PC), a game that deals with homelessness as players must build and maintain a community, whilst dealing with all the issues that come with it. Well-reviewed tactical multiplayer first-person shooter Insurgency: Sandstorm (PC) drops the same day.

July 14 sees the day one Game Pass release of Exoprimal (cloud, console, PC), Capcom's return to dinosaur-themed games decades after the release of fan-favourite Dino Crisis duo on PS1. This game combines prehistoric beasties with giant mech suits in multiplayer horde battles. It sounds like it could be a welcome slice of dumb fun, but reviews haven't dropped yet.

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Techtonica (cloud, console, PC) is another day one release on Game Pass, dropping July 18, although this is part of the Game Preview program. In short, that means this base-building, alien planet-exploring game is still a work-in-progress, and the developers will be looking for player feedback ahead of the full launch.

July 18 also sees The Cave (cloud, console) join the service. Coming from the mind of Monkey Island and Maniac Mansion creator Ron Gilbert, this title swaps the point-and-click adventure style for more of a pure puzzler focus, but there's still plenty of wry humour to be enjoyed.

Some games that are already on Game Pass have received brand-new pieces of DLC, with the highlights being two vehicles from the Barbie movie in Forza Horizon 5, and the ability to play as the Women's World Cup in FIFA 23.

It's also worth noting that Microsoft has raised the RRP of Game Pass console and Ultimate subscriptions this week, with the former going up by £1 a month, and the latter going up by £2 a month, making them £8.99 and £12.99, respectively.

Of course, if you buy codes from retailers like the one listed above, you can save a good amount of money on your subscriptions.