By Fletcher Wilkinson 
Xbox players might struggle to decide what to play this week, with several major releases all arriving within a few days of each other.
The new Xbox games this week include The Sinking City 2, Mortal Shell II, WW1 Gallipoli and the first major expansion for Stalker 2. There are also several promising indies to watch, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will close out the week with its early-access beta.
Here are the biggest releases heading to Xbox between August 18 and August 21.
You can see many of these games in action in our latest Xbox Nation video below. I have managed to share my thoughts on the releases worth watching and the games we’ll be reviewing over the coming days.
Make sure you’re subscribed to Xbox Nation on YouTube for our upcoming reviews and coverage of the next Xbox Game Pass announcement.
The Sinking City 2 begins the week with a much darker return to Frogwares’ Lovecraftian world. The recent gameplay has shown a noticeable improvement over the original, particularly when it comes to the visuals, atmosphere and survival-horror combat. The first game became something of a cult favourite despite its shortcomings, so this could be the sequel that finally helps the series reach a much larger audience.
Keep an eye on Xbox Nation for our full review.
Cosy farming simulator Starsand Island leaves early access and launches its complete 1.0 version this week.
The update introduces four-player online multiplayer, additional relationship content and the seasonal Autumn Pumpkin Carnival. Players will be able to explore the island, build a homestead, go fishing and battle monsters alongside their friends.
Its early-access reception was mixed, but this substantial update could provide the turnaround it needs.
Egging On is currently the only confirmed Xbox Game Pass addition for the week, although it is joining the Premium tier after previously becoming available through Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
This deliberately difficult platformer puts you in control of a fragile egg attempting to escape a hen house. Its awkward physics and unforgiving environments make it comparable to rage-inducing games such as Only Up.
Mortal Shell II looks like a massive step forward for the dark Souls-like series. Combat appears faster, weightier and more responsive, while the sequel replaces the original’s smaller environments with much larger interconnected regions. Thankfully, the unsettling locations and nightmarish creature designs that helped the first game stand out haven’t been toned down.
Our full Mortal Shell II review will be available soon.
Stalker 2 expands this week with Cost of Hope, a substantial new adventure reportedly offering around 20 hours of additional content. Players once again assume the role of Skif after a mysterious PDA signal draws him into events taking place alongside the main story.
The expansion introduces unexplored locations—including the inside of a reactor—alongside new weapons, allies and enemies. It also arrives with further Unreal Engine 5 improvements and several changes requested by the Stalker community.
The Witch’s Bakery could be this week’s hidden indie gem. This hand-drawn adventure RPG follows a joyful witch who opens her own bakery in Paris.
Players will meet the locals, form relationships, improve the bakery and study magic. Its gorgeous artwork and wonderfully cosy premise should make it one to watch, even during such a competitive week.
Following its recent delay, WW1 Gallipoli finally launches on August 20. The tactical multiplayer shooter recreates battles from the Gallipoli campaign, taking players from the unforgiving Dardanelles coastline to enormous desert environments.
Authentic weapons, expanded class specialisations, custom matches and bot support will all be available at launch. It might not command the same audience as Hell Let Loose but it has every opportunity to build a dedicated community of its own.
Yet Another Zombie Survivors also leaves early access this week with what its developer describes as several major updates combined into one release.
The top-down roguelike has players controlling a small group of survivors against overwhelming zombie hordes. Version 1.0 introduces new survivors, maps, modes and numerous improvements to its already well-received progression system.
Mexican Ninja is an unusual 2.5D roguelike beat ’em up set in Nuevo-Tokyo, a world born from the collision of Japanese and Mexican cultures.
Its fast combat, shifting camera perspectives and wonderfully ridiculous “Mexican Jutsus” help it stand apart from the growing number of roguelikes currently entering the market.
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 early-access beta begins on August 21, with the open beta following at a later date.
Activision has teased that the test won’t be limited entirely to conventional multiplayer, although it hasn’t explained exactly what that means. One of its most interesting additions is KillBlock, a new mode featuring map sections that change between rounds.
Xbox Nation will have coverage once the beta begins.
It is an unusually packed week for Xbox, particularly on August 20. The Sinking City 2 and Mortal Shell II are arguably the biggest new releases, but WW1 Gallipoli, Cost of Hope and several smaller indies could easily provide a few surprises.
Which game are you most excited to play, and what would you like to see us review? Let us know in the comments.