Poll: Are You Happy With August 2023's Xbox Games With Gold?

Was exactly the sort of games I expected, which is why I'm perfectly happy for Games with Gold to be replaced with Game Pass Core.

I will sing the praises of Inertial Drift whenever I get the chance, but other than that this was not the last hurrah I was expecting!

Well an end to GWG - 👋

Really wish we'd see more reviews on this site. I looked at the games to see if they'd posted reviews and I don't see any. I know I could look elsewhere, but I'd prefer to read them here!

I was hoping they'd give out another 'February 2021' kind of lineup to send it off. This shows that whoever's in charge didn't care through to the end. Both games do look fine to me, and I'll surely play Blue Fire, but these 2 gave me a big fat case of 'wait...THAT'S IT?!' vibes. Nevertheless, RIP GwG, hello Xbox Game Pass Collection!

Only disappointed because I own both of them. Why? Because they’re good games. People shouldn’t be immediately dismissive of them as “crap”.

Was hoping for 360 games since we can actually still play them without having gold.

@SodaPop6548: This. The number of reviews on this site is seriously lacking, compared to the sister sites PushSquare and NintendoLife, or even other Xbox sites. Like you, I have many a time looked up a game review here only not to find it.

@FraserG: I would think you guys could still keep up on reviews, given less game releases on Xbox versus PS and Switch. I can write reviews all day long if you guys need a reviewer. Series S here, your reviews could use that point of view. Also, Inertial Drift is a quite good indie racer that was well received a few years back - by what standard does it not merit a review?

@FraserG I look forward to it and I think it will benefit the site in the long term.

@awp69 Most of the people that say that Games with Gold are crap haven't even tried them. A basic and evolving collection of Game Pass games is a good substitute, though. Game Pass Ultimate will also get better after the ABK acquisition.

Goodbye GWG. Don't let the door hit u on a** on the way out.

@FraserG i think you do a great job especially if it's a small team and you reply to people straight away which is great 👍

It's a bummer as an ultimate subscriber to get 2 less games per month.

I will miss GwG, discovered some hidden gems here that I never would have considered otherwise.

@FraserG I know you are doing your best, please don’t take that comment as a negative. I look forward to seeing more of your reviews and keep up the good work! Love the site.

@FraserG The Games with Gold articles get lots of views because people search for them monthly and also appear on feeds. With more writers, now that all online players are going to get a basic Game Pass collection that will evolve, you can combine that collection and the Game Pass Ultimate collection with reviews and create articles and guides, starting with reviews for Game Pass Core titles. That kind of articles should get tons of views. A guide with when did the titles currently included in Game Pass Ultimate joined the subscription should be popular. Before I jump to the next Game Pass title, I check when those on my Play Later list joined to prioritise. I know that there are guides with titles that are likely to leave but this would be different and it shouldn't take much effort once is done, because only several games leave and join Game Pass Console/Ultimate each month.

@FraserG: Your prompt replies in the comments are always appreciated.

@FenIsMightier: Agreed that Inertial Drift is a great game - I'd rate it 8/10 for the many things it does so well. The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way was the paper-doll character interactions, but that's minor - otherwise the cars / tracks / racing itself are all very solid. The look and layout of the tracks, specifically, is a great homage to RR4. I also like the slick, cell-shaded car models. The twin-stick controls are innovative and work well.

@Banjo-: Some great suggestions there. Let's see what the site staff do with them.

@Somebody 2 less indie games but then Activision Blizzard titles will be added permanently to Ultimate Gamepass.

Ah, that's the way to go! Trash in death as it was in life!

It's a big case of meh!!

They didn’t go out with a bang but it’s a solid offering imo. Blue Fire has been on my bucket list and the drifting games looks neat to try.

RIP Games with Gold

@Loki7T1 Thanks and I'll make sure to try Inertial Drift! Several people here are praising it.

I already own blue fire and inertial drift as well so boo!!! Y'all could've given us something way better than these 2 games but what you expect from shameless Microsoft smh need to be ashamed of yourselves for the way you totally destroyed Xbox live free games in general it used to be good then you trashed it but good riddance is all I can say.

Sad to see GwG die.

It deserved better, and so did we as customers.

Inertial Drift, yes please.