November is the ultimate month for sports fans! Football season is heating up, and the Las Vegas Grand Prix roars onto the Strip. EA Play members can feel the rush with Madden NFL 26, EA Sports FC 26, & College Football 26 trials. Plus, claim rewards, and race to the top with F1 25 & more.
Play your way for up to 10 hours with the EA Sports FC 26 early access trial, and experience a new level of gameplay powered by community feedback.
Game day doesn’t stop on Saturdays. Take on the EA Sports College Football 26 10-hour trial, and bring glory home.
Feel the rush of every snap and tackle with a 10-hour trial of EA Sports Madden NFL 26, powered by real NFL data that delivers unforgettable gameplay.
Hit the track to test your skills in the EA Sports F1 25 5-hour trial and leave your mark on the world of racing.
Members can save 10% on EA digital purchases, including game downloads, point packs, and DLC. If they decide to buy, their progress carries over to the full game, so they can pick up right where they left off.
Member Rewards
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members receive EA Play with their subscription. From Ultimate Team packs to XP boosts, your membership keeps paying off month after month—with even more rewards always on the way.
This month, EA Play members can claim big rewards across football, racing, and beyond. Score an EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Team Draft Token, the Apex Legends Lucky Footprint Weapon Charm, a Madden NFL 26 Ultimate Team Pack, a College Football 26 Loyalist Ultimate Team Pack, 5,000 XP for F1 25, and more. Rather take on the battlefield? Purchase Battlefield 6 with your 10% member discount on the digital version of the full game, and claim fresh Season 1 rewards like the “Deadweight” Vehicle Skin, “Hazard” Weapon Package, a 60-minute Battle Pass XP Boost, and more.
Now on The Play List
Sports, shooters, speed, and more—feel the thrill of it all with EA Play. Whether you’re chasing glory on the field, battling for position on the Strip, or defying the gods in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, The Play List gives you unlimited access to fan-favorite EA titles. Find your new favorite with games like Madden NFL 25, College Football 25, FC 25, and more.
To learn more about EA Play, check out X and Instagram, or visit here. For more details on all the EA Play member benefits this month, visit the EA Play Member Benefits site. Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See EA Play Terms for details.
Members can experience the world of EA with unlimited access to a collection of top titles, trials of select new games, in-game member rewards, 10% on EA digital purchases and more.
Editor’s Note (October 31): Yes, Your Grace is no longer part of Free Play Days For All and has been removed from the post.
Before we leave October, here’s a mammoth selection of titles for you try with Free Play Days! Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (MP + Zombies), Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (Console + PC), Dead by Daylight, Catan and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Console + PC) are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential members to play from Thursday, October 30 until Sunday, November 2.
Post Trauma is free for all Xbox members to try (Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential membership not required) with a 2-hour timed trial.
How To Start Playing
Scroll down and find and install the games on each of the individual game details pages on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.
Keep The Fun Going
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days (Game Pass Membership Required)
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle
Activision Publishing Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 872
★★★★★
$69.99
$55.99
Call of Duty Blacks Ops 6 (Multiplayer and Zombies) For a limited time from October 28th to November 3, play Multiplayer and Zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 for FREE. This Free Trial will include all of Multiplayer with more than 40 Multiplayer maps, including Gravity, Mothball, and Rig, which are brand-new in Season 06. In Zombies, partake in the thrilling Zombies saga with access to all six Round-Based Zombies maps.
DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2
BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment
☆☆☆☆☆ 999
★★★★★
$19.99
$7.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Free Trial
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery, Xbox Play Anywhere Go Super Saiyan this weekend with Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2! Immerse yourself in the largest and most detailed Dragon Ball world ever developed: train with all iconic characters such as Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Gohan, Trunks, Cell, Frieza and more to create your perfect fighter and protect the history of the Dragon Ball universe. Join an online hub of up to 300 players from around the world to team up on raid missions and measure your strength!
Dead by Daylight
Behaviour Interactive Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 1740
★★★★★
$29.99
$11.99
Dead by Daylight Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Play Dead by Daylight for free this Halloween weekend! From October 30th to November 2nd, celebrate the season by stepping into The Fog free of charge, or save big with the Shocktober sales event to get a 60% discount on the base game and up to 50% off select DLCs, until November 2nd.
CATAN® – Console Edition
Dovetail Games
☆☆☆☆☆ 211
★★★★★
$16.99
$3.39
Catan – Console Edition Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Play the official video game of Catan on Console! Acquire resources, master new strategies, and build your settlements across a board that comes to life. Challenge friends in your living room or play against smart & dynamic AI to become the winning Catanian, then take these skills online with full cross-play compatibility!
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
Owlcat Games
☆☆☆☆☆ 262
★★★★★
$49.99
$22.49
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Play Anywhere Made in a close partnership with Games Workshop, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is a story-rich classical RPG from Owlcat Games. Begin your adventure aboard your personal, giant voidship, traveling between the multitude of systems within the Koronus Expanse, a barely charted and incredibly perilous region of space.
Free Play Days For All
Post Trauma
Raw Fury
☆☆☆☆☆ 45
★★★★★
$14.99
$9.74
Post Trauma Xbox Play Anywhere Post Trauma is a modern-day survival horror, inspired by genre-defining classics. You awaken to find yourself in a twisted reality full of mind-bending puzzles, breathtaking tension, and unspeakable nightmares. Can you face your greatest fears and find your way home?
Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news.
Great co-op starts with great combat. That’s why we built Ember Knights around fast-paced, responsive hack-and-slash gameplay from day one.
Designing for synergy changes everything. We reworked weapons, skills and relics to encourage meaningful teamwork and powerful combos.
Ember Knights: Heroes of the Nexus Edition is now available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC with online crossplay.
Before we even found the name and final concept for Ember Knights, we had already built a strong core combat loop centered around fast-paced hack-and-slash gameplay with tight controls. We then expanded on that foundation by introducing co-op, which ultimately gave rise to Ember Knights, available today for the first time with crossplay on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC.
With the first closed beta and demo back in late 2020, we saw the appeal of the co-op element firsthand as friends, partners and community members played together. That’s when a core vision for our game took shape: a fast-paced, action-packed hack-and-slash roguelite that would feel just as rewarding solo as it would in co-op.
Based on feedback from the demo, we rethought our approach to run layouts – shifting from a free-roaming dungeon structure to a room-by-room design. We also redesigned the rooms so that, in most cases, all four players would remain visible on screen at the same time.
In addition to these structural changes, we re-evaluated the synergies between weapons, skills and relics to offer more meaningful collaboration. Each weapon plays a distinct role on the battlefield – from crowd control to short/long-range DPS to skill-based combos – and the same applies to skills. The goal was to create constant interactions and synergy between players.
For example, one player might equip the Rift Hammer, focusing on stunning enemies with powerful strikes and AOE skills like Rupture or Cyclone. Meanwhile, a teammate could wield the Guardian Bow, leveraging relics that deal bonus damage to stunned enemies.
This interplay only deepens as you experiment. Skills and relics interact in unexpected ways, encouraging teams to adapt their builds to complement each other’s strengths. Want to build a team of explosive pyromancers? That’s totally viable with skills like Molten Boulder or Ember Fire, and relics like Combustion Stone – which deals bonus damage when setting enemies on fire – or Fury Charm – which increases damage against burning enemies.
This design philosophy has guided us throughout Early Access, the 1.0 launch and beyond.
Community feedback post-1.0 has also played a crucial role in shaping the co-op experience. One common request was for an easier mode to help introduce the game to players new to the genre. Whether it was a hardcore roguelite veteran wanting to play co-op with newcomers, or a parent introducing their kids to the genre, Easy Mode was created to welcome more players into the experience.
Our ultimate goal has always been to make the game as accessible and fun to play together as possible. That’s why Ember Knights: Heroes of the Nexus Edition, released on October 16, includes full local co-op, online multiplayer and online crossplay between PC and Xbox Series X|S. Whether you’re sitting on the couch or syncing up with friends across the country, you can now jump into the Nexus and face the forces of Praxis – together.
Ember Knights : Heroes of the Nexus Edition
Twin Sails Interactive
☆☆☆☆☆ 4
★★★★★
$24.99
In this fast-paced action rogue-lite, play as Ember Knights, the last spark of hope of a universe in turmoil. Praxis, the mad sorcerer, has syphoned the life out of the Ember Tree and fled through the four Prime Worlds spreading corruption in his path.
In solo or co-op (up to 4 players), use powerful weapons and skills to hack and slash deadly hordes, defeat epic bosses, free the decaying Prime Worlds and restore energy to the Ember Tree!
A BLAZING ACTION ROGUE-LITE
Legendary warriors, the Ember Knights, are skilled in the wielding of the universe’s most powerful weapons, each with their own modification system! However, the sword doesn’t make the knight… Through action-packed combat rooms, you’ll need to chain your attacks and perfectly time your swings to unleash fiery attacks.
Agile and fearless, use your pace and dodge to outsmart, counter, and stun your enemies!
IGNITE DEADLY COMBOS
With 7 distinct weapons, 9 modifications per weapon, 20 skills, and well over 100 relics, there are hundreds of deadly builds to create.
From a fire spreading scythe wielder to a relentless damage resistant spellcaster to a poison spreading archer with summons, forge your own build during your runs.
In co-op, coordinate with your friends to set up combos and synergies between your playstyles.
FACE PRAXIS’ HORDES
Beasts, specters, sorcerers, mechanized amphibians, and creatures of all sorts… Fight over 60 unique monsters and variations each with their own unique attacks and behaviors.
In addition, be prepared to face challenging Elites and Champions; the most resistant and deadliest versions of Praxis’ devoted minions. You will have to adapt your playstyle to each encounter and learn from your mistakes if you wish to succeed.
INCUR THE WRATH OF THE BOSSES
The real challenge for the legendary Knights will lie in the epic bosses and their corrupted variations. From the Royal Phalanx to the Plague Bringer, Praxis will summon anything in his power to stop you.
Try different builds, upgrade your Ember Tree, and don’t fear death. Persistence will be your key to victory!
WRATH OF THE ARCHITECT DLC – INCLUDED
Included in the Ember Knights: Heroes of the Nexus Edition, the Wrath of the Architect DLC is changing the entire game: with a new final boss – The Architect, 4 new bosses and 4 new mini-bosses in altered versions of the Prime worlds filled with altered hordes of enemies with new attacks and patterns.
To help the knights, 2 powerful new weapons (Hyper Gloves & Ember Buster) and 9 devastating new skills are added to their arsenal.
Bounty Star is out October 23 on Xbox on PC and Xbox Series X|S, available with both Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere.
This 3D action game blends mech combat with light base-building and farming.
Customize your mech and upgrade your garage and homestead as you discover the tragic story of protagonist Clem McKinney.
We here at Dinogod are happy to convey that Bounty Star: The Morose Tale of Graveyard Clem is being released on October 23. It will be available through Xbox Game Pass on both Xbox on PC and Xbox Series X|S, as well as through Xbox Play Anywhere.
Bounty Star is a 3D action game that blends customizable mech combat with some light base-building and homesteading. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run a solo bounty hunting operation on the edge of a dangerous desert region that’s a little too sick with thieves, bots and beasts – Bounty Star will scratch that itch.
You will assume the role of Clementine McKinney, aka Clem, aka “Graveyard Clem” (although you must never call her this cursed moniker). Clem is a broken, but powerful ex-soldier who attempts to shed the guilt and shame of her past and become a legitimate force for good in the Red Expanse, a post-post-apocalyptic version of the American Southwest. Maybe even a bounty hunter can be a hero.
What Happened to Clem?
We don’t want to give too much away, especially since you will experience the terrible event that sets Clem on her path immediately. But we can say that she made a tactical decision that had tragic consequences.
The story of Bounty Star asks some key questions that Clem does her best to answer as you watch her grow:
What does it mean to be a soldier? A protector? A deliverer of harsh justice? Can you be all 3? Do they matter?
How responsible are we for the actions of others?
What guilts are rightly held, and how do we manage them?
What does it mean to be an extremely, singularly powerful one-person force? What does being a mech pilot do to your soul?
Don’t be surprised when these questions of enormous gravity promote a little self-sabotage, addiction, loving rage and therapeutic journaling. Fingers-crossed that our Clem figures it out before it’s too late.
Mech Combat and Customization Tips
In Bounty Star, you want to bring a well-suited mech to any bounty. Take good stock of all the equipment you own to make a loadout that does well by you on your next outing.
Before pursuing any bounty, pay attention to the enemy list, and take note of their strengths and weaknesses. Certain weapons are more or less impactful, depending on what you’re slapping around.
The Red Expanse is a harsh desert region, so you must also be cognizant of the temperature. Tune your thermals properly or you’re going to be shutting down left and right.
We recommend always eating before a bounty, as it’s an inexpensive way to turn up certain engine properties, like speed, hit points, melee damage, etc.
Play with the different systems to get a feel for what they all do and how they work together. Bounty Star’s enemies are pretty high-pressure combatants, but there’s no wrong way to win! Explore and experiment.
Garage Operation Tips
Clem’s home base is an old-world garage and tune-up shop at the edge of the game world. It is here that she intends to make just enough money to move on to the next lonely place. But the garage is still a functional and powerful location, full of potential.
Making food is great, but can be pricey. Use the garden plots in the backyard to grow your own ingredients. Note that upgrading your garden plots streamlines the watering and maintenance of your growables.
To maximize the payout on any successful bounty hunt, make sure you prepare some fuel and ammo. The further away the bounty is, the more it costs, and the nastier the weapon, the more expensive the ammo.
You will eventually be able to raise and care for some critters – these will both provide useful ingredients and be another way to make some cash. Crucially, you can pet the critters.
If you’re the kind of player who likes to collect all the combat systems, then utilize the garage to maximize your profits. Making money is expensive! While some combat systems are out in the field, many can be purchased or built in the garage.
Time to Hunt
There’s a lot to learn and do. If you’re ever wondering about something, go check out Clem’s extensive in-game library, or spend some time in the safe practice space.
Enough talking – step into that war machine, right some wrongs, learn some things about yourself and make some money.
Go on now, git.
Bounty Star
Annapurna Interactive
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Bounty Star is an over-the-shoulder third-person action game that marries mech combat and customization with farming and base building. The player takes on the role of a broken but powerful ex-soldier named Clem — a war veteran, talented fighter and expert mech pilot. Clem attempts to shed the guilt and shame of her past and become a legitimate force for good in the Red Expanse, a post-post-apocalyptic version of the American Southwest.
Key Features: third-person character action, mech combat, mech customization, light farming, light base building, narrative experience
Customizable Mech Action
You pilot the Desert Raptor MKII, a Mech of extraordinary power. It is a highly-customizable battle vehicle that can be equipped with a variety of offensive systems: heavy, high-powered melee weapons, steam powered hydraulic siege weapons, explosive firearms, and more. It can also be equipped with a variety of defensive systems; high-speed thrusters, boosters for dashing, riot shields, and more .
Become A Bounty Hunter
The Red Expanse is a rich farming and mercantile region plagued by violent criminals and dangerous beasts. The government that remains in this post-post-apocalyptic outsources justice to experts like Clem—bounty hunters who are free to pursue their targets into whatever dangerous corners of the world they hide. She’ll fight her way through many corners of the region and deal with these marks as she sees fit.
Upgrade And Maintain Your Garage
Clem comes into an isolated and run-down garage that serves as a suitable base of operations and home—just barely. Build out water and power supply lines, grow and cook food, produce ammunition and fuel for combat, and raise animals. This decrepit ruin has a lot of potential, but it will have to grow alongside Clem.
What do you want out of a modern, big-budget, blockbuster video game? Large, detailed environments to explore? Tons of skill trees, crafting systems, and resources to manage? An HBO-worthy story with top-notch voice acting that keeps you playing until the end? Ninja Gaiden 4 does not give a fuck about any of these things.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is here to serve you up tense, twitchy combo-based action and flashy but simple backdrops for ever more ridiculous boss fights and bloodbaths. Nothing more. Nothing less. It gets that job done with S-tier style and attention to detail. Everything else is…fine. I hope that doesn’t sound like a disappointment.
It’s not. I’m 10 hours into Team Ninja and Platinum Games’ cyberpunk-infused joint entry in the long-running series and I’ve been loving every no-frills moment. The sequel is out October 20 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (published by Microsoft and available day-one on Game Pass Ultimate) and my full review won’t be out until later this week. I’ll leave more of my nitpicks until then. For now I can confidentially say this game has some real juice.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is the Brazilian steakhouse where the hosts keep plopping down increasingly rich and tasty hunks of meat until you feel completely gorged and then they give you more and you keep going because it’s just that good and also the world will fall to ruin at the hands of a mythic evil dragon if you don’t.
There’s not a lot of variety. You may occasionally break into a sweaty panic. But plate after plate of bloody brawls and bone-crunching boss fights will arrive and you will not send them back because this is Team Ninja’s house and you will feast until it’s over because who knows, it could be another 13 years until the next Ninja Gaiden arrives.
Team Ninja / Microsoft
If you haven’t been keeping up, Ninja Gaiden 4 puts you in the shoes of Ryu Hayabusa’s rival Yakumo who wields the Bloodraven Form technique to chain the blood of his enemies into dazzling and devastating combo attacks (you also play as Ryu in some chapters). Yakumo gets access to multiple weapons with different attack patterns and unlockable move sets. There’s even an ultimate meter you can fill up to unleash quick executions.
Combined with dodges, parries, and an overwhelming number of fighting-game-style aerial maneuvers and attacks, the combat rewards close attention and thoughtful execution. It’s a button-mashing gorefest, except that every button is pressed for a particular reason and if it’s not, you’re probably looking at the game over screen again.
Every challenge room and boss fight so far has left me feeling satisfied and accomplished in exchange for the effort expended, even when progress slowed to a crawl and it briefly felt like I was banging my head against the wall. Ninja Gaiden 4 is so limited and focused in terms of what it puts in front of you that I found these periods of stalled momentum as cathartic and calming as pushing through to the next chapter.
I won’t talk about the story because I’m not finished yet and, well, when has a Ninja Gaiden story ever really mattered that much? There’s a mysterious woman manipulating you into breaking magical seals to purify the ancient dragon and prevent it from returning to haunt neo-Tokyo. The English language dubs are not great so I’m playing with subtitles. The conversations and characters, like the spartan levels you encounter them in, provide the most barebones table setting for a linear series of battles and the occasional 3D Sonic-style platforming section.
None of the stuff outside of combat has been all that great in Ninja Gaiden 4 so far, so I welcome there being so little of it. This is a game about seeing how long you can keep your health meter unscathed while landing just enough blows to randomly sever an enemy’s limb and open them up to a grisly execution move that sprays blood all over the screen and nets you points toward your high score for the stage. It’s strikingly old-school that way. It’s nice to have you back, Ninja Gaiden.
Keeper, the otherworldly new adventure from Double Fine, arrives today.
Launching on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, and Steam. It’s an Xbox Play Anywhere title, and available day one with Game Pass.
Read a note from Creative Lead, Lee Petty, as his beautiful passion project arrives.
Hi there, my name is Lee Petty, and I’m a Creative Lead here at Double Fine Productions. I’ve been at Double Fine for almost 20 years! I was the Art Director for Brütal Legend and Broken Age, but was also the Creative Lead for Stacking, Headlander, Autonomous, and RAD.
My new game, Keeper, was inspired by the events of the last few years. Like most, I thought a lot about isolation and connection with others. I’ve always been into hiking, backpacking, and spending time outdoors with my family. During the pandemic, it became even more important to me. I wondered if the wildlife around me would be all that is left in the future. Would it continue to develop, to evolve? I thought of the mycelium, the vast underground networks that connect fungi, and how they are also used by trees to share nutrients and communicate with each other.
I imagined an isolated island in a far-flung future without humans. What sorts of life would evolve there? Would this life still be possessed with a need to connect with others and to have a purpose?
When thinking about what this world could look like, I was inspired by Surrealist painters, like Max Ernst and Salvador Dali, who created vibrant, dream-like worlds that are both familiar and unlike anything else. Some of my favorite movies, like ‘The Dark Crystal’ and ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’, are about strange, otherworldly places and unusual forms of life, and both present as family-friendly films but have weirder, darker undercurrents. This comes through in Keeper too, giving it a gameplay style that I like to call “Weird, but Chill”.
A story told entirely without words, Keeper is the tale of a long-forgotten Lighthouse on a post-human island, which awakens after eons of lying dormant. The Lighthouse’s ancient masonry crumbles and it falls to the ground, but then it grows legs, stands up, and sets off on a journey toward the mountain peak at the center of the island, joined by a spirited seabird companion, named Twig.
It’s a psychedelic tale of companionship and an adventure of mystifying metamorphosis, all set in a beautiful and surreal otherworldly realm beyond understanding.
It’s a game which is very much about the unexpected, and we have gone to great lengths to preserve the mysteries and surprises the game holds. I’m really excited for you all to discover them for yourselves as you play – and I’d like to ask you to please consider how you talk about these surprising elements, ideally preserving some of the mystery for others wherever possible. Thank you for playing!
Lee & The Team at Double Fine Productions
Keeper
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 200
★★★★★
$29.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
From Lee Petty and Double Fine Productions, Keeper is a beautiful and surreal otherworldly adventure, and a story told without words.
On an island in a long-lost sea, a forgotten lighthouse stands dormant in the shadow of a distant mountain peak. As withering tendrils spread and coalesce, it awakens. Taken with a mysterious sense of purpose and joined by a spirited seabird, it embarks upon a heartening tale of unlikely companionship, an odyssey of mystifying metamorphosis, and an unexpected journey towards the center of the island, into realms beyond understanding.
The hits just keep coming – explore even more with Free Play Days! Call of Duty: Black Ops 6,Riders Republic, AEW: Fight Forever, Dovetail Games Euro Fishing, Grounded 2 and Under The Waves are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential to play from Thursday, October 9 until Sunday, October 12.
Between October 9 to October 16, Game Pass members can play Campaign, Multiplayer and Zombies in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 for free for a full week. This free trial will include the cinematic single-player campaign. Then, jump into all of Multiplayer with more than 40 multiplayer maps, including Gravity, Mothball, and Rig, which are brand-new in Season 06. In Zombies, partake in the thrilling Zombies saga with access to all six Round-Based Zombies maps. Dive in and experience the full breadth of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6!
Riders Republic and Kingdom Two Crowns are free for all Xbox members to try during Free Play Days (Xbox Game Pass Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential membership not required). Enjoy even more time with Riders Republicas it will be unlocked until October 13.
Under the Waves is free for all Xbox members to try during Free Play Days (Xbox Game Pass Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential membership not required) with a 2-hour timed trial.
How To Start Playing
Scroll down and find and install the games on each of the individual game details pages on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.
Keep The Fun Going
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days (Game Pass Membership Required)
Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 – Cross-Gen Bundle
Activision Publishing Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 866
★★★★★
$69.99
$38.49
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Forced to go rogue. Hunted from within. This is Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Developed by Treyarch and Raven, Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller set in the early ’90s, a period of transition and upheaval in global politics, characterized by the end of the Cold War and the rise of the United States as a single superpower. With a mind-bending narrative, and unbound by the rules of engagement, this is signature Black Ops.
AEW: Fight Forever
THQ Nordic
☆☆☆☆☆ 290
★★★★★
$39.99
$15.99
AEW: Fight Forever Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Recognized for its retro approach to design including hand-crafted animations and nostalgic arcade feel, AEW: Fight Forever is now available as a part of Xbox Free Play Days. Presenting wrestling fans with their a chance to pull off wrestling moves only seen on the wildly popular AEW programming. Plus online co-op wrestling with Tag-Team matches that feature sequences of team maneuvers performed with simple commands. AEW: Fight Forever will be a part of Xbox Free Play Days through October 12. Take advantage of the long roster of the most popular AEW wrestlers, wrestler customization, and multiple match types today!
Grounded 2
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 491
★★★★★
$29.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Grounded 2 Xbox Play Anywhere In this open-world, single-player or co-op survival adventure, craft weapons and armor, build your base, and traverse the playground on your buggy. The Hairy and Scary update unleashes AXL the tarantula into Grounded 2,with a full armor set to craft, new weapons to wield, and new base décor. Fine-tune your loadout with new gear and build smarter with the streamlined BUILD.M interface as you prepare to face AXL on the back of your Buggy.
Dovetail Games Euro Fishing
Dovetail Games
☆☆☆☆☆ 289
★★★★★
$18.49
Dovetail Games Euro Fishing Master your rod, line and tactics, and refine your technique this weekend to become a top angler in Euro Fishing. Learn the basics or dive straight into one of the five unique European locations, each posing their own unique challenge to land the big catch. Whether casting solo or enjoying with friends, embrace the thrill of real fishing from the comfort of your own sofa.
Under The Waves
Quantic Dream
☆☆☆☆☆ 179
★★★★★
$29.99
$5.99
Under The Waves Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Stan, a professional diver in the North Sea, is struggling to overcome a life-changing loss during an extended mission underwater. Stuck in his self-imposed solitude, he starts to experience strange events and will have to make the most significant choice of his life…
Free Play Days For All
Kingdom Two Crowns
Raw Fury
☆☆☆☆☆ 283
★★★★★
$19.99
$3.99
Xbox One X Enhanced
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Free Trial
Kingdom Two Crowns Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Play Anywhere The Kingdom game series is celebrating a decade since its first release this October with a new free update – the 2.3, 10th Rulerversary Major Update for Kingdom Two Crowns! A new challenge island will treat you with great festivities, beautiful landscapes, towering monuments, a new enemy and… party spirit (with obligatory party hats, cake and candles)!
Riders Republic™
UBISOFT
☆☆☆☆☆ 551
★★★★★
$39.99
$9.99
Riders Republic Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Jump into the Riders Republic massive multiplayer playground! Bike, ski, snowboard, or wingsuit across an open world sports paradise. Race in mass start events, develop your rider’s career, or kick back with friends and free roam the parks.
Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news.
Experience big sequel energy with The Outer Worlds 2 Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. The world needs a hero, but you will have to do. Embark on your own action-packed sci-fi RPG adventure with a new crew, new weapons, new enemies, new colony, and a new controller.
These designs are out of this world featuring the iconic The Moon Man and the galactic rifts that threaten to destroy all of humanity. With your new controller, your ultimate weapon, you’ll rise to the occasion and be the hero that Arcadia system desperately needs. Both controllers are available now with Xbox Design Lab.
To be the hero Arcadia needs, you’ll need to be well equipped. The Xbox Wireless Controller on Xbox Design Lab offers endless customization to help you play your way, whether its guns blazing or stealth combat. Choose from a variety of button styles curated for your chosen The Outer Worlds 2 color scheme.
You can enhance your controller with a variety of upgrades, including metallic triggers that shine like the rifts of Arcadia, a metallic D-Pad, rubberized side and back grips, and even topcase engraving for a personalized touch. Whether you’re exploring The Outer Worlds 2 or embarking on any other adventure, this controller is ready to go with Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth compatibility. It connects seamlessly to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, PCs, as well as iOS, Android, and cloud devices. Plus, with the dedicated share button, you can easily capture and share photos and videos of your heroic moments with friends.
The Elite Series 2 version of this design comes with all the features you’ve come to love, including adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wrap-around rubberized grip, and shorter hair trigger lock for even more precise gameplay. For even greater customization, you can add back paddles for enhanced input control and limitless customization with exclusive button mapping options in the Xbox accessories app. Immerse yourself deeper into The Outer Worlds 2 with the 3.5mm jack—just connect any compatible headset to experience the action-packed Arcadia system like never before. Plus, just as you shift between different paths in the game, the controller’s dynamic features ensure you’re always ready for whatever the galaxy throws your way.
If you’re ready to become the hero the galaxy needs, head over to Xbox Design Lab today to design yours. These controllers are available today, starting at MSRP $94.98 for the Xbox Wireless Controller and MSRP $184.98 for the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 exclusively at https://www.xbox.com/accessories/controllers/the-outer-worlds-2-xbox-controllers. Visit Xbox.com for more information.
The Outer Worlds 2 launches October 29 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, Battle.net, and Steam — and day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition now to get up to 5 days early access and the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack.
The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 24
★★★★★
$99.99
Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition now to get up to 5 days early access and the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack.
The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition includes:
– The Outer Worlds 2 base game
– Up to 5 days early access
– DLC Pass for 2 future story expansions*
– Moon Man’s Corporate Appreciation Premium Prize Pack
– Access to The Outer Worlds 2 Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack
* Story expansions available as released
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!
As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions – your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.
Explore a New Frontier
The Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!
Your Commander, Your Way
Build your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own -whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!
Enlist Your Companions
Recruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
We surprise-added a bunch of games last week – for cloud, console, PC, and even the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally handhelds – with more to come, meaning we have something for everyone. Let’s get to the games.
Available Today
Supermarket Simulator (Cloud, Console, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Run your own supermarket in this store management game! Stock shelves, set your prices, take payments, hire staff, expand your store, handle shoplifters, and design your layout. Purchase goods from online or local markets around town and personally deliver online orders to your customers.
Coming Soon
Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions (PC) – October 9 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Available on console and cloud gaming and now coming to Xbox on PC! Gather your party; the RPG saga returns. Immerse yourself in an epic RPG series where every choice matters. Play over 100 hours of adventure in enhanced editions of Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II!
The Casting of Frank Stone(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 14 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
The shadow of Frank Stone looms over Cedar Hills, a town forever altered by his violent past. As a group of young friends are about to discover, Stone’s blood-soaked legacy cuts deep, leaving scars across families, generations, and the very fabric of reality itself.
Ball x Pit(Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 15 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Game Pass:Ball x Pit is a brick-breaking, ball-fusing, base-building survival roguelite. Batter hordes of enemies with ricocheting balls and gather the riches of the pit to expand your homestead, generate resources and recruit unique heroes.
The Grinch has a wonderful, awful idea – steal all the presents in Who-ville, using gadgets like his stealthy Santa costume and Candy Cane Lasso. Help him sneak around, freeze creatures with snowballs, and learn the meaning of Christmas along the way, in this festive platformer!
Eternal Strands(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 15 Now with Game Pass Premium
Eternal Strands is the debut fantasy title from Yellow Brick Games. Fight epic, towering creatures while blending magical abilities with an arsenal of powerful weapons to keep the world from crumbling in this third-person, action-adventure game.
Deep in the forgotten corners of the world, a dark force stirs – the Demon King rises once more. Sharpen your wits, seek out powerful artifacts, and stand firm in the face of the apocalypse in this roguelite RPG auto battler.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 15 Now with Game Pass Premium
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black features the high-speed, ninja action of iconic hero Ryu Hayabusa and his deadly Dragon Sword. Embark on a global battle against formidable foes, engage in relentless combat, and play as additional characters Momiji, Ayana and Rachel.
Pax Dei (PC) – October 16 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Welcome to a vast, social sandbox MMO inspired by the legends of the medieval era. Here, myths are real, ghosts exist, and magic is unquestioned. Join thousands of players as you explore the land, build your home, forge your reputation, and craft your own stories. What world will you make?
Keeper(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 17 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Game Pass! From Lee Petty and Double Fine Productions, Keeper is a story told without words, in which a long-forgotten lighthouse is awakened and, joined by a spirited seabird, it embarks upon a heartening tale of unlikely companionship, and an unexpected journey into realms beyond understanding.
Evil West(Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 21 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Making a return to the Game Pass library! A dark menace consumes the Old West. In solo or co-op, fight with style in visceral, explosive combat against bloodthirsty monstrosities. Eradicate the vampiric hordes with your lightning-fueled gauntlet and become a Wild West Superhero.
Ninja Gaiden 4(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – October 21 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Game Pass! The definitive ninja hack and slash franchise returns with Ninja Gaiden 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
In Case You Missed It
We recently revealed new details about Xbox Game Pass memberships. You can learn more about this below:
Hogwarts Legacy(Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Hogwarts Legacy is an open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books. Embark on a journey through familiar and new locations as you explore and discover magical beasts, customize your character and craft potions, master spell casting, upgrade talents and become the wizard you want to be.
Little Rocket Lab(Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Little Rocket Lab is a cozy, machine building RPG. You play as Morgan, an aspiring engineer! Head home to St. Ambroise to help complete your family’s dream-building a rocket. Help the locals with new machines, be creative, and become the ultimate engineer! That rocket isn’t going to build itself!
DLC / Game Updates
Dead by Daylight: Sinister Grace – Available now The skin tears. The head rises. The hunt begins. In Dead by Daylight: Sinister Grace, play as The Krasue, forever cursed by insatiable hunger and a terrifying creature well suited for The Fog. The Krasue’s blood-drenched tale is one of ambition gone awry.
Diablo IV: Season of Infernal Chaos – Available now Season 10 takes gameplay to chaotic heights, with updates that encourage deeper build experimentation and mastery through powerful Chaos Armor Uniques and deadly class-tailored Chaos Perks. The chaos persists in endgame with revamped Infernal Hordes, now overtaken by new, relentless Chaos Waves.
FBC: Firebreak – Breakpoint Update – Available now The first free Major Update, Breakpoint is packed with systemic overhauls, new content, and quality-of-life improvements – all aimed at making FBC: Firebreak more fun, varied, and rewarding to play.
Grounded 2: Hairy and Scary Update – Available now The Hairy and Scary update unleashes AXL the tarantula with a full armor set to craft, new weapons to wield, and new base décor. Fine-tune your loadout with new gear and build smarter with the streamlined BUILD.M interface as you prepare to face AXL on the back of your Buggy.
Age of Empires II: DE – Chronicles: Alexander the Great – October 14 Pre-order now and save 15%! Prepare for the next chapter in the fan-favorite Chronicles saga by stepping into the sandals of history’s greatest conqueror. Embark on Alexander the Great’s epic journey in this narrative-driven campaign featuring three new civilizations, customizable armies, and fresh storytelling.
In-Game Benefits
Now all Game Pass subscribers can get in-game benefits for eligible free-to-play games and titles in the Xbox Game Pass library, in addition to special offers like Discord Nitro. Specific benefits may vary per plan, region, and time.
Valorant: Play the new Agent Veto (Console and PC) – Available now Upset your enemy’s gameplan and take every fight on YOUR terms with Veto: Valorant’s new Senegalese Sentinel whose Radivore mutation shuts down and shrugs off enemy abilities.
Call of Duty: Warzone – Game Pass Pack 4 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 15 Get a free in-game bundle for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone. This pack includes operator skins, weapon blueprints, emotes, weapon charms and more that you can use in both games.
Leaving October 15
The following games are leaving the Game Pass library soon. Be sure to pick up where you left off before they go and remember you can save up to 20% off your purchase to keep the fun going!
Cocoon (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Core Keeper (Cloud, Console, and PC)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutants Unleashed (Cloud, Console, and PC)
No matter how you want to game – be it on your PC, your console, a metaphorical ton of devices for cloud gaming (maybe a literal ton, if you count the CAR that has cloud gaming??), we have something for you. Talk soon!
Our goal with Game Pass has been clear: deliver unmatched value, benefits, and a deep library of games for our players. Since launching in 2017, we’ve steadily grown our subscriber and creator satisfaction – and today, creator participation and player engagement in Game Pass are at an all-time high. But we have the opportunity for Game Pass to help more players find the creators and games they love.
We know not everyone wants the same thing in their Xbox experience, so we’re evolving Game Pass to offer more flexibility, choice, and value to all players, whether you love day one releases, discovering hidden gems, or playing across multiple devices and screens and across Xbox consoles, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud.
Starting today, we’re introducing three upgraded Game Pass plans based on how players play: Essential, Premium, and Ultimate. Each includes expanded game libraries, including PC titles, unlimited cloud gaming, in-game benefits (including Riot Games titles), and a revamped Rewards with Xbox experience. Today’s Game Pass Core subscribers will automatically move to Essential, Standard subscribers will transition to Premium, and Ultimate subscribers will remain in the Ultimate plan.
It’s all a part of our commitment to meet players where they are, so you can choose what works best for you, no matter how or where you love to play.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Just Got Its Biggest Upgrade Yet
Ultimate has been upgraded for players who want the best of everything. We’re rolling out our most expansive upgrade yet, including more day one games than ever before, Fortnite Crew & Ubisoft+ Classics for the first time ever, enhanced Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming quality up to 1440p, Rewards with Xbox, and more. Now players can have it all.
Ultimate subscribers now get access to over 75 day one releases a year. That includes some of the most anticipated upcoming games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, High on Life 2, Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4, and The Outer Worlds 2. These join a growing library of more than 400 games playable on Xbox consoles, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud on supported devices, with more than 45 new games added today. Think of hits like Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, plus exclusive benefits like access to EA Play.
We’re also welcoming major additions to the Ultimate experience. Starting November 18, Fortnite Crew – an $11.99/month value – will be included in Ultimate, with access to the Fortnite Battle Pass, 1,000 V-Bucks each month, and more. This is just the beginning of Xbox and Epic’s work together toward an open gaming ecosystem where friends can play and create together, anywhere, across devices. And today, Ubisoft+ Classics (valued at $7.99/month per platform) joins Ultimate, offering access to a curated selection of Ubisoft games playable on console, PC, and cloud, like Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, and more.
Cloud gaming is also getting a major boost. Ultimate subscribers exclusively enjoy our best quality streaming and shortest wait times, so it’s easier than ever to jump into your favorite games. Xbox Cloud Gaming has also officially exited “Beta,” as part of our commitment to make gameplay smoother and more responsive. And we’ll keep expanding the Stream your own game collection for all subscribers. Keep an eye on Xbox.com/Play for the latest list of cloud playable games.
Ultimate subscribers can now earn up to $100 per year (100k points globally) in the Store just by playing games. With our upgraded Rewards program, players can get up to 30% value on select Game Pass games, with 4x points on purchases of games and add-ons, 10% back in points on select Game Pass library titles and add-ons, and up to 20% off select Game Pass games.
Xbox Game Pass Premium – More Games, More Flexibility
Premium has been upgraded to offer even more flexibility and value for those who want to play on their own terms at exceptional value. Premium provides access to a broader library of great games and extends the Xbox gaming experience across console, PC, and cloud.
We’re now giving Premium subscribers more games than ever before, from gaming’s biggest hits to hidden gems, now with access to 200+ games on Xbox console, PC, and supported devices, all still at $14.99. This library, with more than 40 new games available today, is also now playable on PC, including timeless hits like Minecraft, Forza Horizon 5, and Grand Theft Auto V. Plus, Premium subscribers get newly added fan-favorites like Diablo IV and Hogwarts Legacy starting today, and new Xbox-published games within a year of their launch (excludes Call of Duty titles).
Cloud gaming is also expanding in Premium. Subscribers now enjoy unlimited cloud gaming, including select games you own, and newly added in-game benefits in some of the biggest games like League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege X, instantly unlocking cosmetics, characters, and more to enhance your gameplay.
Premium also brings new value through Rewards with Xbox. Premium subscribers can also get up to $50 per year (50k points globally) in the Store just by playing games, earning 2x points on purchases of games and add-ons, plus 5% back in points on select Game Pass library titles and add-ons.
Xbox Game Pass Essential: A Great Way to Get Started
Essential is for players who want the essence of everything Xbox. With access to games across console, PC, and cloud, Essential makes it easy to jump in and start playing, whether you’re diving into solo adventures or teaming up with friends.
Our revamped Essential plan now includes unlimited cloud gaming, online multiplayer, in-game benefits, and Rewards with Xbox, plus a curated catalog of 50+ games playable on both console and PC.
The Essential library is now fully playable on PC, featuring standout titles like Hades, Cities: Skylines – Remastered, Stardew Valley, and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. You also get unlimited cloud gaming, allowing you to play games, including select games you own, on the devices you choose — giving you more freedom to play your way.
Subscribers also get access to in-game benefits in some of the biggest games like League of Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Overwatch 2.
And with our Rewards with Xbox program, Essential members can earn up to $25 per year (25k points globally) in the Store just by playing. You’ll also get points on purchases of games and add-ons.
Getting Started with the New Xbox Game Pass Plans
As we continue to evolve Xbox Game Pass, we’re focused on delivering more value, more benefits, and more great games across every plan. Whether you play on console, PC, cloud – or all three – there’s a Game Pass option designed to fit your playstyle.
With the latest upgrades, Ultimate is now priced at $29.99/month, reflecting the expanded catalog, new partner benefits, and upgraded cloud gaming experience. Standard subscribers will be upgraded to Premium remaining at $14.99/month, offering exceptional value for players who want flexibility and access to new Xbox-published titles within a year of launch. Core subscribers will be upgraded to Essential remaining at $9.99/month, providing a curated library, online multiplayer, and cloud gaming for those who want to jump in and start playing.
We regularly evaluate exchange rates and market conditions, so pricing may vary by region. For the most up-to-date information on plan features and pricing in your area, visit the plan picker on Xbox.com.
We continue to add more games to Xbox Game Pass. Check out the latest games available starting today below, along with in-game benefits available across each plan. As a reminder, game titles, features, and availability vary over time, by region, Game Pass plan, and platform. Learn more about supported regions here.
Ultimate – Available Today
Hogwarts Legacy (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Assassin’s Creed II (PC)
Assassin’s Creed III Remastered (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag: Freedom Cry (PC)
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (PC)
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: India (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: Russia (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Assassin’s Creed Liberation HD (PC)
Assassin’s Creed Revelations (PC)
Assassin’s Creed Rogue Remastered (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection (Cloud and Console)
Assassin’s Creed Unity (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Child of Light (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Far Cry 3 (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Far Cry Primal (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Hungry Shark World (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Monopoly Madness (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Monopoly 2024 (Cloud, PC, and Console)
OddBallers (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Prince of Persia The Lost Crown (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Rabbids Invasion: The Interactive TV Show (Cloud and Console)
Rabbids: Party of Legends (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Rayman Legends (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Risk Urban Assault (Cloud and Console)
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Skull and Bones (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
South Park: The Stick of Truth (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Starlink: Battle for Atlas (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Steep (Cloud, PC, and Console)
The Crew 2 (Cloud, PC, and Console)
The Settlers: New Allies (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Tom Clancy’s The Division (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Trackmania Turbo (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Transference (Cloud and Console)
Trials Fusion (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Trials of the Blood Dragon (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Trials Rising (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Uno (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Valiant Hearts: The Great War (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Watch_Dogs (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Wheel of Fortune (Cloud and Console)
Zombi (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Premium – Available Today (also in Ultimate)
9 Kings (Game Preview) (PC)
Abiotic Factor (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Against the Storm (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition (PC)
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition (PC)
Age of Mythology: Retold (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Ara: History Untold (PC)
Arx Fatalis (PC)
Back to the Dawn (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Battletech (PC)
Blacksmith Master (Game Preview) (PC)
Cataclismo (PC)
Cities: Skylines II (PC)
Crime Scene Cleaner (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Diablo (PC)
Diablo IV (PC and Console)
An Elder Scrolls Legends: Battlespire (PC)
The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard (PC)
Fallout (PC)
Fallout 2 (PC)
Fallout: Tactics (PC)
Football Manager 2024 (PC)
Frostpunk 2 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Halo: Spartan Strike (PC)
Hogwarts Legacy (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Manor Lords (Game Preview) (PC)
Minami Lane (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Minecraft: Java Edition (PC)
Mullet Madjack (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
My Friendly Neighborhood (Cloud, PC, and Console)
One Lonely Outpost (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Quake 4 (PC)
Quake III Arena (PC)
Return to Castle Wolfenstein (PC)
Rise of Nations: Extended Edition (PC)
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Sworn (Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S)
Terra Invicta (Game Preview) (PC)
Volcano Princess (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Warcraft I: Remastered (PC)
Warcraft II: Remastered (PC)
Warcraft III: Reforged (PC)
Wolfenstein 3D (PC)
Essential – Available Today (also in Ultimate and Premium)
Cities: Skylines Remastered (Cloud and Xbox Series X|S)
Disney Dreamlight Valley (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Hades (Cloud, PC, and Console)
Warhammer 40,000 Darktide (Cloud, PC, and Console)
More Rewards with Game Pass
Editor’s Note (October 1): We’ve clarified the pricing information for Ubisoft titles.
Face off against AXL, the terrifying new tarantula boss.
Craft an entire suite of tarantula-themed gear, from armor to a candlelit throne.
Build smarter with the streamlined BUILD.M grid system, and power up your Buggy with seamless PEEP.R and Hot Pouch support.
Brookhollow Park just got a lot more… hairy. And a lot more scary! Grounded 2’s newest update unleashes AXL, a colossal tarantula with enough legs, fangs, and fur to make even the bravest teens scrambling to fine-tune their loadouts. But don’t worry—you’ll have the tools to fight back, and they’re every bit as fearsome as the towering arachnid they come from.
Defeating AXL opens up a whole new frontier of power. You can forge an imposing tarantula armor set, wield the devastating Tarantula Bow and Spear, and even decorate your base with spidery flair. From larger-capacity chests to flickering candles to the kind of throne Yoked Girth would envy, you’ll have plenty of eight-legged style to show off.
This update also makes it easier than ever to turn your park empire into an architectural masterpiece. The streamlined BUILD.M grid system is here to make placing, snapping, and perfecting your creations more intuitive, giving your wildest blueprints a chance to shine.
Meanwhile, your Buggy is getting a serious quality-of-life glow-up: with both PEEP.R and Hot Pouch integrated, you can scan, swap, and stock up without ever leaving the driver’s seat. Pair that with a hauntingly stylish new Praying Mantis armor set, complete with plague doctor vibes and some nifty healing tricks, and you’ve got more ways than ever to customize your playstyle.
Not only that, but we are excited to announce Japanese and Brazilian localization have been added to Grounded 2 with this update. More languages will be added throughout development, so keep your eyes on our socials and the road map for future announcements!
Hairy and Scary is all about dialing up the intensity while keeping the spirit of play alive. It’s spooky, it’s stylish, and it’s brimming with new ways to survive the tiny terrors of Brookhollow Park. And if you think this is where the surprises end, think again. The backyard has a few festive frights tucked away for October, so keep your eyes peeled for holiday surprises lurking just around the corner.
Grounded 2’s Hairy and Scary update is available now in Game Preview for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud, and in Early Access on Steam. Jump in today with Xbox Game Pass, and prepare yourself—it’s hairy, it’s scary, and it’s only getting wilder from here.
Grounded 2
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 485
★★★★★
$29.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Shrunk again, but the world is much larger. Survive a sprawling open world alone or in co-op with friends. Craft weapons, forge armor, and build bases while exploring the park on your trusty Buggy mounts. Unravel hidden mysteries and face unexpected threats. But something else is out there—and it hasn’t forgotten you.
Shrunk to the size of an ant, you’ll find once-familiar spaces turned into a sprawling, uncharted frontier. Survive alone or in co-op with friends, crafting weapons, forging armor, and building bases as you explore manmade playgrounds overgrown by nature. Traverse this new realm on trusty Buggy mounts—your capable allies—and uncover the mysteries lurking beneath bright colors and towering structures. But stay wary: something else is out there, and it hasn’t forgotten you.
Survive, Adapt, Overcome
The world is relentless, but so are you. Shape your adventure with unique archetypes, each offering distinct abilities to match your playstyle. Whether you rely on precision, cunning, or sheer strength, you’ll need every advantage to survive against the threats lurking in the park.
Stronger Together
The perils of the park are daunting alone, but with friends, every challenge becomes an adventure. Work together to build, fight, and uncover the secrets buried beneath the grass. Whether you’re facing danger side by side or continuing your journey in a shared world, survival is always better with allies.
Because Walking is Bogus
They scurry, they fight, and now—they help you survive. Hatch, raise, and ride your own insect friends – Buggies! Saddle up and traverse through the park, fight on them or alongside them in battle, or use them to gather resources and build your base. The right partner could mean the difference between thriving and barely surviving.
A Shadow That Follows You
The threat is always there—watching, learning, waiting. You don’t know where it’s coming from, only that it never leaves. The deeper you dig, the closer it gets. Some mysteries should stay buried, but it’s too late now. It knows you’re looking. And it’s ready. Every answer drags you deeper, every step invites something closer. You were never alone. You thought you were in control. You were wrong.
Clear out those weekend plans, we got tons to explore with Free Play Days! PGA Tour 2K25, Rematch, Dungeons 3, Bassmaster Fishing and Trailmakers are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from September 25 until September 28.
Diablo IV is free for all Xbox members to try from September 23 at 10:00 am PDT until September 30 at 10:00 am PDT.
How To Start Playing
Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Keep The Fun Going
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days For All
Diablo® IV – Standard Edition
Blizzard Entertainment
☆☆☆☆☆ 984
★★★★★
$49.99
$22.49
Diablo IV Try Diablo IV’s newest class Spiritborn up to level 25 in the free trial and experience all the latest major updates, as well as the new Season, Season of Infernal Chaos. Season 10 takes gameplay to chaotic heights, with updates that encourage deeper build experimentation and mastery through powerful seasonal Uniques and deadly class-tailored seasonal powers. The chaos persists in endgame with revamped Infernal Hordes, now overtaken by new, relentless Chaos Waves. Carry your progress into the campaign after the trial with a full game purchase, on sale now!
Free Play Days (Game Pass Membership Required)
Dungeons 3
Kalypso Media
☆☆☆☆☆ 294
★★★★★
$29.99
$7.49
Dungeons 3 Wake from your fitful rest Little Snots! Today, The Absolute Evil, with the help of Microsoft, summons players back to one of the best and Evil-est dungeon sims, Dungeons 3. Seven peaceful years have passed since Thalya first took command of the forces of Evil to wage war on the Overworld (by the way she throws an even bigger fit in the sequel, but that’s a discussion for another day.) A certified epic from the folks over at Realmforge Studios and Kalypso Media, Dungeons 3 is a hilariously evil and evilly hilarious, strategic romp where all wretched deeds and storyline updates are beautifully narrated by the fan-favourite Dungeons narrator, whether Thalya likes it or not! The Generous Evil has also decreed that Dungeons 3 shall have a 75% discount, and all Evil DLCs and the Complete Collection shall have a 60% discount from the 25th of September until the 6th of October.
PGA TOUR 2K25
2K
☆☆☆☆☆ 214
★★★★★
$69.99
$41.99
PGA Tour 2K25 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S From September 25 through 29, PGA Tour 2K25 Standard Edition is available to play free as part of Free Play Days. Enjoy putts, pars, and precision like never before with PGA Tour 2K25! This weekend make a name for yourself in the Transatlantic Showdown. Battle it out on the course with a USA vs Europe showdown packed with themed rewards, a new Challenge Map, and no shortage of pride. Have your say on the main stage as global rivals go head-to-head.
REMATCH
Sloclap, Kepler Interactive
☆☆☆☆☆ 292
★★★★★
$29.99
$23.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Rematch Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Play Anywhere Step onto the pitch in Rematch, the fast-paced team football experience where timing, movement, and collective play matter most. From September 25–28, Xbox players can jump in free during Free Play Days. This weekend also marks the kickoff of Rematch Season 1, including full cross play, competitive 3v3 ranked matches, fresh cosmetics, and more.
Trailmakers
Flashbulb Games
☆☆☆☆☆ 341
★★★★★
$29.99
$8.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Trailmakers Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery, Xbox Play Anywhere Build, explore, and race your way through limitless creativity in Trailmakers. Whether you’re crafting a rugged off-road buggy, a sleek race car, or even an aircraft to conquer the skies, Trailmakers gives you the tools to bring your imagination to life and put your inventions to the test across exciting open-world challenges. Even better: if you’re ready to keep building after Free Play Days ends, you can grab Trailmakers at a massive 70% off during and after the event. Don’t miss this opportunity to own the game at its best price yet and continue your creative journey without limits.
Bassmaster® Fishing
Dovetail Games – Fishing
☆☆☆☆☆ 213
★★★★★
$39.99
Bassmaster Fishing Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery, Xbox Play Anywhere Grab those shades, attach that lure and get ready to reel in a prize catch – Bassmaster is back for Free Play Days! In Bassmaster Fishing, anglers can relive the thrill of big bass fishing in locations around the USA. Cast out in the same place, at the same time as the real pros this weekend as they compete in the 2025 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series at Toledo Bend.
Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news.
The Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025 Broadcast just wrapped up, bringing you a fresh look at what’s coming to players around the world this year and next from our creative teams, our incredible partners across Asia, and beyond.
From Xbox Game Studios, Forza Horizon 6 is coming in 2026 with Japan as the setting, we offered a deep-dive into the difficulty settings coming to Ninja Gaiden 4 (developed by Team Ninja and PlatinumGames), announced that a Japan World Update arrives in Microsoft Flight Simulator and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 today, and revealed new gameplay for Age of Mythology’s Japan-inspired Heavenly Spear expansion, which launches next week. Activision revealed Japan-set maps for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and Bethesda showed off some of the best Japanese-created C.A.M.P.s built for Fallout 76 following its recent updates.
Our partners across Asia and the rest of the world brought even more. We saw a world premiere for Gungrave Gore: Blood Heat, Square Enix surprise-released RPG Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven for Xbox, and Capcom showed off more of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection – along with the news that the first two games in the series are on their way to Xbox. IO Interactive brought star power, with the reveal of a lead character in 007 First Light, as well as a Bruce Lee-themed mission in Hitman: World of Assassination. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, with 25 different games included in the show.
Several games featured in the broadcast will be available for Game Pass subscribers, including Terminull Brigade, Winter Burrow, and show-closer Forza Horizon 6. Game Pass continues to deliver unmatched quality, with many new releases making up Metacritic’s best reviewed games of 2025 so far, including three of the current top five: Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Hollow Knight: Silksong. And the momentum isn’t slowing down. Still to come to Game Pass subscribers this year, in order of release: Keeper, Ninja Gaiden 4, The Outer Worlds 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and much more.
And the majority of titles in the show also have Xbox Play Anywhere support, empowering people to play the games they want, wherever they are, and with whatever device they’re using. That includes on-the-go, with the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds arriving on October 16 – and playable on the showfloor at Tokyo Game Show.
But you want to know everything, right? Read on to learn about everything announced:
Age of Mythology: Heavenly Spear Offers a New Look Ahead of Launch Next Week
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere – also available on Steam, PlayStation 5
Age of Mythology: Retold’s next expansion, Heavenly Spear takes players to Japan, where they’ll encounter new gods, new monsters, new powers, a new story, and more. The brand-new 12 mission campaign focuses on Yasuko, a farmer’s daughter who takes on a new destiny when she discovers a magical spear. As war looms and chaos spreads across the land, Yasuko must uncover the relic’s secrets and prevent it from falling into the hands of Kagemasa, a ruthless warlord who seeks to imprison the sun goddess Amaterasu and claim godhood for himself.
Heavenly Spear launches on September 30, with preorders open now on most platforms. Those who purchase the Age of Mythology: Retold – Premium Editionwill receive Heavenly Spear upon launch.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Introduces Japan-Set Multiplayer Maps
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere, or play it day one on Game Pass – also available on Battle.net, Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
The teams from Treyarch and Beenox made an appearance to offer a first look at a few Multiplayer maps set in Japan, coming to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
Toshin offers a look at 2035 Tokyo, combining well-defined lanes and some really fun set pieces – including a cat cafe, a karaoke bar, and a crashed train. Den offers a different vibe – set in the countryside outside Tokyo, this map centers around a Japanese castle that’s been repurposed as a Guild base.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches on November 14, with the Early Access Beta beginning on October 2, and the Open Beta from October 5.
Fallout 76 Developers Thank the Japanese Community
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Game Pass – also available on Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4
It’s been a busy year in Appalachia. This year, Fallout 76 has seen the release of The Ghoul Within (which allowed players to play as Ghouls for the first time), Gone Fission (which introduced brand new fishing mechanics and quests), and, most recently, C.A.M.P. Revamp, which added newfound flexibility to building tools in the game.
Fallout 76‘s developers made an appearance in the show to thank Japanese players for embracing each new update, and even showed off some of the most impressive Japanese-made C.A.M.P.s created so far.
Forza Horizon 6 Will Take Us to Japan in 2026
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere, or play it day one with Game Pass – also available on Steam. Coming to PlayStation 5 post-launch
Forza Horizon 6 closed the show by announcing that the beloved open world racing series will return in 2026, this time taking players to the breathtaking landscapes of Japan. A teaser trailer gave us callbacks to each of the previous games, before giving us a taste of the gorgeous new world we’ll be exploring – with Mount Fuji dominating a landscape that includes serene waters and urban environments, as cherry blossoms flutter on the breeze.
Forza Horizon 6 will arrive in 2026, and you can learn more right now on Xbox Wire – we interviewed the developers to answer some of the biggest questions about moving the series to Japan. Wishlist now on Xbox and Steam.
Microsoft Flight Simulator: Japan World Update and New Local Legend Revealed
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere, Game Pass – also available on Steam
Microsoft Flight Simulator’s World Update 20: Japan is massive! This latest free update adds 23 new photogrammetry areas to the simulator, covering over 20,000 square kilometres.
The regions included add major Japanese cities like Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo, as well as five new highly-detailed, handcrafted airports, and 67 new points of interest, including Osaka Castle, one of the most important historical locations in Japan, Fukuoka Tower, the tallest seaside tower in Japan, and more.
In addition to World Update 20: Japan, we also saw a new Local Legend, the famous Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (NAMC) YS-11.
World Update 20: Japan is a free content update for all Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 simmers and the NAMC YS-11 is available now in the in-sim marketplace for $19.99. The sky is calling!
Ninja Gaiden 4 Challenges You to Become a Master Ninja
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere, or play it day one with Game Pass – also available on Steam, PlayStation 5
Team Ninja and PlatinumGames unveiled a first look at the difficulty design in Ninja Gaiden 4, showcasing dynamic enemy placement and aggressive AI that scale with difficulty levels. The game stays true to its punishing roots, while introducing a new hero mode and adjustable assists that can ease newcomers into its signature high-speed combat. A stand-alone training mode – a first in the series – lets players sharpen their skills before diving into battle. You can read more on Xbox Wire now.
Also revealed ahead of the show were two sword-inspired creations. First, Ryu Hayabusa’s Dragon Sword and new protagonist Yakumo’s Takeminakata were forged and brought to life by master swordsmith Yuya Nakanishi. Then, the exciting new Ninja Gaiden 4 Xbox Design Lab standard and Elite Series 2 controllers were made available for purchase. Ninja Gaiden 4 launches October 21. Preorder now to unlock the Dark Dragon Descendant Yakumo Skin at launch, and grab the Deluxe Edition for bonus cosmetics, in-game items, and access to future gameplay content: The Two Masters.
007 First Light: Gemma Chan Joins the Ensemble Cast
Xbox Series X|S – see developer website for other platforms
British actress Gemma Chan (‘Eternals’, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, ‘The Creator’) makes her video game debut as Selina Tan, MI6’s Head of Tactical Simulation, in 007 First Light. Selina Tan is a senior MI6 official who leads Tactical Simulations, a program to train elite recruits. Formerly a psychology and strategy academic turned immersive tech expert, she now applies scientific precision and strategic insight to British Intelligence.
In 007 First Light, play as James Bond, a young, resourceful, and sometimes reckless recruit in MI6’s training program, and discover a new standalone, re-imagined origin story of the world’s most famous spy. Find out more on Xbox Wire.
Aniimo: Meet Even More Creatures
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere – see developer website for other platforms
Highly-anticipated creature-catching ARPG Aniimo introduced a number of the fascinating creatures who inhabit the world of Idyll. The TGS trailer gave players a first look at how a number of Aniimo interact with each other and their environment to create totally unique opportunities for discovery and gameplay! Get more details on the new creatures on Xbox Wire.
Double Dragon Revive Offers a Deeper Look Into ‘Extra Mode’
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One – see developer website for other platforms
New details are here for Double Dragon Revive! Beyond the main Story Mode, today we showcased the challenging Extra Mode. This mode will test your skills with over 50 missions. Clear them to unlock character-specific episodes, offering new story perspectives. Join forces with a friend in two-player co-op, online or locally! Double Dragon Revive launches October 23, 2025. Pre-order today!
Dragon Quest I & II 2D-HD Remake: A Brand-new Area, Ocean Floor Revealed
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Play Anywhere – see developer website for other platforms
Dragon Quest I & II HD Remake isn’t just offering a new way to play these timeless RPGs – it’s also opening up an entirely new area to explore. Producer Hayasaka Masaaki guided viewers through Ocean Floor, showing the player’s party meeting a mermaid, and being invited to save the area. You’ll explore the desecrated underwater town of Mersea, battle a multitude of monsters, and solve the mystery of what’s befallen this hidden region. Dragon Quest I & II HD Remake arrives on October 30, 2025.
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake – A Beautiful Revival of the Classic Horror Experience
Xbox Series X|S – see developer website for other platforms
Koei Tecmo’s classic is reborn, more beautiful and horrifying than ever in Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake!
Fatal Frame Series Director Makoto Shibata, talked about the remake’s improvements over the original, including graphical and audio enhancements to help turn up the fright, while bringing the Japanese horror classic to a whole new audience. He also touched on how the Camera Obscura has evolved, and new action additions to help players battle the evil spirits haunting a village of never-ending night. Coming early 2026, wishlist now!
Gungrave Gore Blood Heat Revealed
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere – see developer website for other platforms
Fans got their first look at Gungrave Gore Blood Heat – this world premiere showed off the cult classic action game, rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, showcasing explosive new action. The demo highlighted Grave’s iconic dual-gun shootouts enhanced with brutal close-quarters combat and a revamped stylish action system. Players also witnessed newly designed enemy characters and explosive interactions that elevate the battlefield intensity. Find out more about the project on Xbox Wire.
Hitman: World of Assassination – Martial Arts Legend Bruce Lee Joins Agent 47 in a New Mission
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud – see developer website for other platforms
Set in the dazzling arena of an international martial arts tournament at the Himmapan Hotel in Bangkok, this mission introduces a high-stakes twist: Agent 47 must protect the undercover Agent Lee, who has infiltrated the tournament that doubles as a recruitment tool and cover for leadership meetings of Concord Union.
Lee must not only win but also earn the final prize: a duel with the Union’s elusive leader – The Dragon Head. Play for free from September 25 to November 20. Find out more on Xbox Wire.
Hotel Barcelona Reveals Multiplayer Modes Ahead of Release Tomorrow
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere – see developer website for other platforms
The legendary creators of Hotel Barcelona, Hidetaka “Swery” Suehiro and Goichi “Suda51” Suda, made an appearance to unveil the game’s multiplayer options – and it’s more than just a bolt-on, crowdpleaser mode. The game will offer up to three-player co-op, introducing new layers of complexity and strategy. There will also be a PvP invasion system: invaders step into someone else’s run and become adversarial doppelgängers, locked in mortal combat until one player falls – with rewards given to the victor.
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere – see developer website for other platforms
Mistfall Hunter premiered an exclusive developer update introducing Solemn Needles, the game’s second map, confirmed for launch. Set within a bleached and sacred forest, Solemn Needles highlights the Divine Anchor – a relic whose lingering power draws enemies – alongside Hastine’s Fall, where the corpse of a giant still radiates divine strength, and the shadowed Witchery Woods, dense with secrets.
The video underscored that the hunt is far from over—sharpen your blades, ready your gear, and prepare to step back into the Gyldenmist soon.
Monster Hunter Stories – The Whole Series, Coming to Xbox
Monster Hunter Stories 3 available on Xbox Series X|S, Monster Hunter Stories 1 and 2 available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One – see developer website for other platforms
Monster Hunter Stories is a turn-based RPG series where you hatch, raise, and train Monsters.
The latest entry in the series, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, will be available on March 13, 2026. In a surprise announcement, we also say the announcement that the first entry, Monster Hunter Stories, and its sequel, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, will both be available on Xbox from November 14, 2025. Pre-order begins today with a limited-time discount!
Project Evilbane Shows Off Its 4-Player Action-RPG Combat
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere – see developer website for other platforms
Project Evilbane has unveiled its second trailer! After fierce battles and hard-won victories, the heroes now face the ultimate enemy with the power to destroy the world. The trailer hints at relentless combat and new challenges ahead, promising epic moments and strategic action.
Players can already experience the game through a pre-alpha test available via the Xbox Insider Program. Project Evilbane is a dynamic 4-player co-op action RPG where teamwork, skill customization, and intense boss battles will shape the fate of a shattered world. The fight for humanity has just begun!
Rhythm Doctor On Call From December 6
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Play Anywhere – see developer website for other platforms
Thanks to its robust toolset and 7th Beat’s unique gameplay design ethos, Rhythm Doctor is one of the only games in existence able to act as a video editor for its own trailer. Everything in the spot is a single shot without any cuts or splices; all the effects, layered shots, and jumps between different songs are achieved in-game, set to a mashup of songs that represent less than half of the game’s total tracklist. And you’ll be able to play Rhythm Doctor on December 6.
Romancing Saga 2: Revenge of the Seven – Out Now for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Play Anywhere – see developer website for other platforms
The Seven Heroes of legend are back seeking revenge, this time on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC! Signature Saga franchise systems like Glimmers and Formations were shown in action as well as Surprise Attack and United Attack – new additions for this remake. Experience the key freeform scenario system, where your choices and actions change the way the story unfolds. Inherit stats and abilities from previous Emperors, continue to grow stronger, and put an end to the Seven Heroes once and for all.
Starsand Island Gets a First-Ever CG Trailer
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Play Anywhere – see developer website for other platforms
Starsand Island unveiled its first-ever CG trailer, highlighting the game’s cozy, heartwarming island setting and key features like open-ended farming and creative DIY building. The footage also ended with a subtle tease of multiplayer elements, sparking excitement for future cooperative experiences.
Sudden Strike 5: Coming 2026
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC – see developer website for other platforms
In this Xbox-exclusive trailer, witness the return of strategic WWII combat in Sudden Strike 5! Harness the tactical brilliance of authentic Generals from each faction, combining their strengths with your own in an enhanced Doctrine System. Tackle difficult secondary objectives to secure the advantage, or charge straight towards your primary target with overwhelming force, secure your position and prepare to advance in Sudden Strike 5, coming 2026!
Terminull Brigade Brings the Nullverse to Xbox with Neon Genesis Evangelion Crossover
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere, or play it day one with Game Pass – see developer website for other platforms
Terminull Brigade invited fans back to the Nullverse with a CG trailer featuring the Rogueteers defending their digital realm. The showcase teased a Neon Genesis Evangelion collaboration, giving fans a glimpse of the crossover content. The trailer concluded with the announcement of Terminull Brigade launching for consoles and Xbox on PC, expanding the game to new platforms. Find out more about this unique game on Xbox Wire.
Winter Burrow, A Cozy Woodland Survival Game, Debuts Release Date Trailer
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, Xbox Play Anywhere, or play it day one with Game Pass – see developer website for other platforms
Winter Burrow’s new trailer tells the story of a young city mouse returning to the harsh winter wilderness. Narrated by a wise, unseen elder mouse through a whimsical nursery rhyme, we see the mouse face hunger, cold, and other perils. Each verse of the rhyme offers guidance, from cooking stews to knitting sweaters and braving the forest.
Along the way, new friends lend their support as the mouse learns to survive. The trailer ends with the burrow transformed into a safe haven, a refuge against the cold, and with the reveal of the release date: November 12, 2025.
When we set out to launch Ninja Gaiden 4, we asked ourselves: what if the blades of legend weren’t confined to the game? What if Ryu Hayabusa’s iconic Dragon Sword and new protagonist Yakumo’s Takeminakata — weapons rooted in centuries of lore — could be forged in the real world? That question brought us to Kyoto, Japan, where ancient swordsmithing traditions met the next chapter of Ninja Gaiden.
In association with master swordsmith Yuya Nakanishi and the Masahiro Tantoujou Sword Forge, we set out to create real-life versions of the Dragon Sword and the Takeminakata. These aren’t just props — they’re living, breathing testaments to craft, power, and story.
The Stories of the Swords
The Dragon Sword has always been more than steel. In-game, it’s the ancestral blade passed down through the Dragon Lineage for generations.,
Combined with the Eye of the Dragon, a sacred jewel granted to Ryu by his childhood friend Kureha, the blade now displays its full power, transforming into the “True Dragon Sword.” With this legendary blade in hand, Ryu has purged the encroaching forces of evil and saved the world time and time again.
Yakumo’s Takeminakata has also been passed down through generations of the Raven Clan, who have actively collected cursed blades to utilize with Bloodbind Ninjutsu. Yakumo uses Bloodbind Ninjutsu to share the life force of blood with Takeminakata and the accursed armaments to maximize their destructive potential.
The Creation Process
Creating these blades in real life took months. Hundreds of hours. And no compromises. Each artisan at Masahiro Tantoujou Sword Forge approached their part of the process with the same dedication Ryu and Yakumo bring to battle — patience, discipline, and unwavering focus.
The result? Two swords that don’t just mirror their in-game counterparts — they embody them. When you see the Dragon Sword’s gleam or the Takeminakata’s raven feather-imbued blade, you’re not just looking at steel. You’re looking at the legacy of the Dragon Clan and the Raven clan, and the Master Ninjas that define Ninja Gaiden 4.
This collaboration is more than a celebration of a game. It’s where story meets steel, and where fantasy becomes something you can hold in your hands. Because in Ninja Gaiden 4, legends aren’t imagined — they’re forged.
NINJA GAIDEN 4 Preorder Deluxe Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
$89.99
Pre-order now to receive the Dark Dragon Descendant Yakumo Skin at launch
Experience a return to the intense, high-octane action of NINJA GAIDEN with the Deluxe Edition! The Deluxe Edition includes:
• NINJA GAIDEN 4 base game
• Future Gameplay Content “The Two Masters”*
• Traditional Dark Blue and Legendary Black Falcon Ryu Skins
• Blade of the Archfiend Ryu Weapon Skin
• Divine Chimera and Raven Master Yakumo Skins
• Divine Chimera Yakumo Weapon Set
• 50,000 Bonus NinjaCoin
• Additional In-Game Items such as Life Elixirs, Incense of Rebirth, Kongou Iron Brew, and more!
The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
RETURN OF THE LEGEND
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
EPIC HACK AND SLASH COMBAT, EVOLVED
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.
AN ANCIENT ENEMY RETURNS
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.
*For release date when announced, see https://www.xbox.com/games/ninja-gaiden-4.
NINJA GAIDEN 4 Preorder Standard Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 4
★★★★★
$69.99
Pre-order now to receive the Dark Dragon Descendant Yakumo Skin at launch
The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.
Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.
Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.
An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.
The EA Sports FC 26 10-hour EA Play trial is available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Xbox on PC via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Play your way with an overhauled gameplay experience powered by community feedback.
Score a Welcome Pack through October 30 and in-game rewards, such as Ultimate Team Draft Tokens and Clubs rewards.
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can live the most true-to-football experience ever for up to 10 hours in EA Sports FC 26. If they decide to buy, their progress carries over to the full game, so they can pick up the season right where they left off.
Members can save 10% on the full game, FC Points, and other EA digital purchases. Plus, grab a Welcome Pack in addition to recurring rewards, like Ultimate Team Draft Tokens.
Feel the difference with a variety of game-wide changes to key fundamentals and much more in EA Sports FC 26.
Overhauled Gameplay
EA Sports FC 26 changes the game with two distinct gameplay presets. Competitive Gameplay is tailored for online head-to-head play in Football Ultimate Team and Clubs, introducing competitive positioning, fewer auto-tackles, increased passing speed, and more. Authentic Gameplay, however, delivers unrivaled authenticity in Career with more intelligent defenders, corner kicks tuned to match real-world success rates, a sense of real-world excitement during goalmouth scrambles, and more.
Football Ultimate Team
Put your dream squad to the test with Tournaments and Live Events, as well as a refreshed Rivals and Champs experience. Test your skills with up to 4 rounds of knockout football, or add variety with themed competitions and content all season long. New Bounties let you earn additional rewards or accelerate your weekly progress.
Manager Live
Manager Live is a new, always-online content delivery hub that adds a new dimension to Manager Career. Take on a variety of real-world and alternative scenarios throughout the new season, ranging from a few minutes of play to multiple seasons. Whether it’s managing your team after the latest high-profile transfer, starting the season strong with 5 straight wins, or writing your name into the history books by winning a treble, Live Challenges will test all aspects of your managerial prowess.
The EA Sports FC 26 10-hour EA Play trial is available Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Xbox on PC via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See EA Play Terms for details.
Endless Legend 2 (Game Preview) is a turn-based strategy game coming to Xbox on PC, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate on September 22, 2025.
The long-awaited sequel to its award-winning predecessor lets you conquer a fantasy world through four distinct pillars: Explore, Expand, Exploit, and Exterminate.
The Tidefall mechanic is developer Amplitude’s answer to game stagnation, working to keep every session feeling fresh.
Endless Legend 2 is a fantasy turn-based strategy game, and the next title from Amplitude Studios who previously made Humankind and Endless Space. At launch it will feature five asymmetrical factions, tactical battles, multiple victory types (including seven different variations of the narrative victory condition), and countless hours of replayability as players explore and conquer Saiadha, a mysterious oceanic paradise going through cataclysmic change. Like the studios’ previous works, Endless Legend 2 represents a definitive step forward in the strategy genre through brand-new mechanics, such as Tidefall.
A Tidal Problem
Endless Legend 2 represents a specific style of strategy game you’ll have seen before that sometimes goes by another name, 4X games, a phrase coined a while ago to talk about the early Civilization titles. The four Xs represent distinct pillars: Explore, Expand, Exploit, and Exterminate.
These days, the genre has evolved beyond this moniker — but that first phase, explore, remains a core design pillar of any strategy game. It’s the part that often struggles beyond the early portions of a campaign and this is one of the reasons the Tidefall mechanic emerged in Endless Legend 2. It represents a momentous event in-game where the oceans recede, revealing new lands, opportunities, and dangers.
“Based on the decades of feedback Amplitude has collected since their first 4X game, we’ve found that players often find the exploration phase to be the most fun,” says Endless Legend 2’s Game Director Derek Paxton. “They would play for a while, then get bored when the full map is revealed and all the territory is claimed. At this point your options are to switch to either a full-on warmonger, or stay within your borders and try playing ‘tall’.”
“We wanted to solve this by revealing new land as the game went on. Introducing new exploration phases and new opportunities to claim territory and expand. The biggest part of this is Tidefall, which can make strategic chokepoint cities obsolete or turn safe cities in your backlines into exposed targets as new land bridges are formed to other islands and empires.”
While there’s less land to explore to begin with, starting in a smaller area does give you plenty of room to grow, explore, and adjust to your faction’s strengths and weaknesses in a relatively safe environment. Once the first Tidefall happens, the map opens up, changing the strategic landscape permanently.
This change brings about new challenges – never mind that other major empires might have access to your lands now, but the environment also gets more dangerous. Fortresses guarded by NPC armies will need conquering, and after the third Tidefall event, menacing Doomwraiths will emerge from the planet’s depths, endangering areas you may have previously thought safe.
Riding the Waves
Disrupting the state of the game and player momentum isn’t something that should be done lightly, or too frequently. The Tidefall mechanic has gone through a few iterations in terms of impact and frequency, but through extensive testing Amplitude feels like they’ve found a good sweet spot.
“We started with eight Tidefalls and slowly reduced them as we went through playtesting,” says Paxton. “The more we had, the less land each revealed. We opted to go for fewer with bigger impacts instead of more frequent with smaller effects. When Tidefall happened, we wanted the game to change.”
There are now three Tidefall events per game, and the length between them will vary depending on the map size. On average settings, it’s between 40 – 50 turns. But it’s not just about pacing — the broader impact of Tidefalls was also examined closely.
“We even considered having the technology eras tied to Tidefall or having Tidefall be destructive (if the oceans came back, for example). But in the end, we decided to keep it solely as a reward because it wasn’t fun to invest in building an empire, just to have something outside of the player’s control set back their progress”.
“The only remnant of that idea that remains is that all tiles adjacent to water (oceans, lakes, or rivers) get a food bonus. As Tidefall occurs, the oceans go away and the rivers dry up, removing these bonuses. So coastal or river cities accustomed to these bonuses for growth will lose them.”
This feeds into two of the other pillars – Expand and Exploit. While the consequences of Tidefalls won’t be game breaking, they will add just enough tension to your campaign that you will need to plan around this eventually, typically by expanding outward and searching for new or better sources of growth for your empire.
Turning the Tide
As long as you respect the Tidefall, it can be planned for and some of the chaos that comes with the receding oceans can be managed. You’ll know, for example, that a coastal city at the start of a game won’t remain as such, and that far away island will be accessible eventually. There are other things to keep in mind as well:
“On the Strategic map it’s good to keep an eye on areas of the fog of war that are golden,” says Paxton. “We call this the ‘Haze’ and it indicates that this is the edge of unrevealed lands that Tidefall has exposed, and where new dangers can come from.”
“Also, if players have river cities that are counting on the food bonuses from the river, building a Dam will ensure that the river remains after Tidefall. Or you can build a Dam for a river that flows into your enemy’s lands and deprive them of their food bonuses without waiting for Tidefall to happen.”
The world of Saiadha is waiting – there are other factions to subdue, and a mystery that lies in the heart of the world to unravel. Whichever way you choose to approach the game, make sure you prepare for Tidefall.
This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game.
ENDLESS™ Legend 2 is a fantasy strategy game where you lead wildly varied factions as they build grand empires and wage planet-spanning wars on an ever-evolving ocean world at the brink of extinction. Cataclysmic events have wrought havoc on the natural order, and the very world will change as time goes on revealing new opportunities for exploration and conquest to the bold and daring. Establish expansive cities to spread your influence and strengthen your economy, raise armies and command troops in turn-based tactical battles to overcome your enemies by force, and push forth into the unknown to uncover the dark secrets that lie at the planet’s core.
LEAD DISPARATE FACTIONS
Whether you command righteous warriors descended from the stars, cursed knights seeking reprieve from their misfortune, or hive-minded beasts that know only how to fight, feed, and propagate, ENDLESS™ Legend 2 features vastly different factions each driven by their own philosophies, histories, capabilities, and narratives. Each of the factions have unique traits that set them apart from one another whether on the battlefield, in matters of commerce, with regards to empire-building, or in diplomatic affairs – it is up to you to adapt to their strengths and weaknesses and build strategies and distinct playstyles.
– The choice of faction will influence every aspect of the game. Will you prefer to benefit from a constant state of fighting, untethered by the need to justify your wars, spawning additional warriors with each victorious battle to grow endlessly in strength? Will you choose to benefit from cohabitation and cooperation, spreading tendrils of influence throughout the world to build a network of allies, leveraging relationships with the minor factions of the planet to further enrich your empire? Or will you lead a people who feed upon their own kind for sustenance, taking advantage of a unique economy free from the needs of mere mortals? Learn what makes each faction distinct and use it to your advantage whether you’re leading them, or looking to destroy them.
– Military doctrine varies greatly between the factions, providing unique opportunities for a capable commander to gain an advantage over their foe, even when out of combat. Build massive fortifications to defend cities and establish connections to powerful weapon and support systems waiting in orbit as the martial Kin of Sheredyn. Invest in the spread of coral so the spiritualist Aspects are able to support themselves outside of friendly territory. Dot the land with nests and burrows to quickly traverse vast distances and ambush enemies from beneath as the Necrophage hive.
– Either auto-resolve combat or take direct control of individual units within your armies when battle begins, using the surrounding terrain to your advantage as you seek out chokepoints, cover, and the high ground. Apart from having faction-specific units, traits, weapons, and attributes, each faction also features special battlefield abilities that can turn the tide of battle if properly utilized. Where one faction might work best with a patient commander, able to meticulously maneuver troops to secure powerful adjacency bonuses, another might rely on force of numbers and overwhelming strength.
– Recruit heroes and watch them grow over time as they gain new traits to bolster their abilities, build relationships that provide them with various boons, and acquire equipment useful both in and out of battle. Powerful commanders, properly trained and armed, can turn the tide of entire wars when wisely utilized.
REIGN IN AN EVOLVING WORLD
Empires will rise and fall based on their ability to adapt to a changing world. Starting from a single humble city, expand according to your faction’s unique strengths and limitations while adapting to the periodic monsoons and tidefalls. Build districts around your cities’ central structures, exploit strategic and luxury resources littered around the world, and develop your technological capabilities and industrial might.
– Cataclysmic tidefalls will expose new opportunities and threats as the oceans recede to unveil new land ripe for expansion. While your existing territory will remain unscathed, the newly revealed terrain from the retreating oceans will open up new avenues of approach for you and your enemies, alongside new resources to exploit and new anomalies to explore. While this can fundamentally change the strategic value of various locations as time goes on, a wise leader will plan for the inevitable – will you prepare to expand into new lands as soon as a tidefall occurs, or focus on shoring up your defenses where you anticipate new landbridges to appear?
– Plan the development of your cities to focus on population growth, industrialization, and commerce, or prioritize their contribution to the sciences, your empire’s influence, and your military might – the choice is yours based on the needs of your burgeoning empire. Establish districts that provide fortifications or further the production of various resources, take advantage of adjacency and terrain bonuses, and pursue technological advancements that allow you to upgrade established districts or unlock entirely new options. Will you patiently seek out ideal locations to establish long-term economic hubs and military strongholds, or will you spread rapidly to secure new lands and increased productivity ahead of your enemies?
– The lands around you are teeming with both opportunity and danger alike. Crush the weaker minor factions littered around the world to pillage their resources, or instead cultivate friendly relations and have them join your growing empire, incorporating their distinctive units and heroes to further strengthen your people. Explore ancient ruins and strange anomalies, braving the dangers of the unknown to enrich your lands and gain powerful artifacts to wield against your enemies.
WRITE YOUR OWN LEGEND
A deep mystery lies buried beneath the surface of this once-tranquil ocean world, where an ancient power stirs in the darkness. Gain dominion over the planet through violent conquest, seek victory through diplomatic and technological advancements, pursue quests and tackle events that can alter the course of a campaign, or empower your sworn heroes to unveil the story of your people – the choice is yours.
Will you be a ruthless conqueror or a cunning builder? A cultivated diplomat or a flesh-eating beast? Will you bring harmony back to the planet, seeking out lost legends and heroes, or will you defy the fate that drives your faction and carve a legend of your own?
Full details on the latest status of the game, how you can give feedback and report issues can be found at https://discord.gg/amplitude.
High On Life 2 is doing the things you’d expect this sequel to do – it’s bigger, more packed with jokes, even more experimental than the first game, and now has a skateboard you can use at any time (naturally). But it’s also doing something we didn’t expect: changing the first game’s structure fundamentally. High On Life 2 is taking cues from Metroidvania games, but using them to its own ends.
In an episode of the Official Xbox Podcast, Squanch Games’ COO & Executive Producer, Matty Studivan, and Creative & Art Director, Mikey Spano explained – among many other things – about how the team changed their thinking to offer a whole new hub-based design for the game.
“Our Design Director, Erich Meyr, and I early on decided we wanted to do something that had Metroidvania elements to it, but we also wanted to support telling really tight stories,” explained Spano. “So, this time around, we tried to keep all of the Metroidvania elements in the hubs.”
While the original High On Life was built around a single hub, Blim City, the sequel will take you to three different hubs, each with a lot more to them and, in classic Metroidvania style, offering more and more interactions the more you play and earn.
“It’s a big step up for us from the first game,” said Studivan. “If you played it and you know Blim City, it’s a really cool spot, but pretty small geographically.”
“We have three decent-sized hubs in [High On Life 2],” adds Spano, “and each one of those hubs has a lot of little side things you can do, NPCs you can find, tons of collectibles, tons of unlockable things. And obviously with the skateboard; there’s a lot of cool stuff related to the skateboard that you can do in the hubs.”
The change is effectively about letting Squanch have their cake and eat it – the new structure means that the team can pack in the stupendously weird moments that made High On Life beloved, without needing to derail the core story to get non-sequitur jokes in there. It’s an elegant mix:
“In terms of how it all flows together, you’ve got your home base that you’re always returning to,” explained Spano. “And in there, you’re talking to your crew about what you’re going to do next. And then, you’ll be dropped down into the hub. And then from there, you’re navigating to a target that you’re following. But once you get to a certain point, it triggers a more linear experience where we can tell the story in a tighter way. We still always have choices that you’re making and stuff like that.
“But in terms of finishing a level and then coming back with new power-ups, we try to keep all that in the hub so that we can tell a complete story without needing players to come back and hear the same things over and over again.”
The upshot is that Squanch can tell the story they want to, but give players the freedom to step away and explore just how odd the surrounding world is at their leisure. To help create all that side content, Squanch took a very fun approach:
“One of the ways we were able to do that is that we do game jams at the studio, because the entire team is so creative,” added Studivan. “And so, we had eight or nine teams [jam] for a week – and I think like seven of the game jams are in the hubs in this game.”
It should make exploring the hubs rewarding in itself – with entire other game types hidden away, every discovery can become something new. We’ll get more of what we learned to expect from the first game, too – High On Life included entire, real-life movies to watch, and that will return (with a movie theater to watch them in). We also know that Squanch has licensed full games (NES game Bible Adventures formed a pivotal part of the demo we recently played) that will appear along the way.
“We’re spending a lot more resources and time on [side content]. It really makes the world feel like you’re somewhere lived-in,” said Studivan.
The big changes to structure are also about catering to different kinds of players. Those who just want the story can jump from main mission to main mission without friction. Those who want to do everything can do so without having to repeat missions, and at their own pace. And there are also those who might waver between quick blasts and marathon sessions:
“So, with the missions, we try to keep them at a certain length so that if you’re like, ‘I’m going to go take down this bounty,’ you actually can finish it in a night and then get back to putting your kids to bed or whatever it is that you have to do,” said Spano. “And then for the gamers that want a more free-form experience, they know they can just hang out in the hub for a while and do whatever they want and take on missions whenever they want.”
For a game that presents itself as unabashedly dumb, there’s a core of smart, classic game design thinking sitting beneath all the madness. With that design in place, it allows Squanch to go as wild as they want with the ideas we, as players, will interact with.
Even in the earliest looks at the game, we’re seeing how far they can push this – one boss fight suddenly sees your enemy hack your game, sending you navigating your own menu screens to fight him off. And, best of all:
“That’s one of the more normal parts of the game,” Spano said. “This demo is early in the game. By Act Three it’s just so off the rails and insane. I think people are going to be really surprised.”
I’m very much looking forward to seeing how much weirder this can get – High on Life 2 arrives for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC on February 13, 2026, and will be available on day one with Game Pass Ultimate.
If you want to hear much, much more about the game, make sure to check out the full Official Xbox Podcast episode, which dives into how Squanch turned around a sequel so quickly, the difficult art of writing comedy for games, the benefits of switching to Unreal Engine 5 and… the wonder of Microsoft Excel.
High On Life 2
Squanch Games, Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
You’ve done it. You’ve taken down an intergalactic cartel, brought humanity back from the brink of extinction, and hunted dangerous bounties to the far corners of the galaxy. Bounty hunting has brought you fortune, fame and love; but when a mysterious figure from your past reappears and puts a price on your sister’s head, your cushy life gets thrown into chaos.
Do you have what it takes to risk it all and bring down an intergalactic conspiracy that once again threatens your favorite species (humans)?
High On Life RETURNS as you and your beloved rag-tag team of alien misfits shoot, stab, and skate your way through gorgeous, dangerous worlds all across the galaxy to blow up the EVIL pharmaceutical conglomerate hell-bent on putting price tags on HUMAN LIFE!
It’s been over a decade since the last numbered Ninja Gaiden game. While the precision-based hack-and-slash series was sleeping, most action games went one of two ways. They either morphed into sprawling RPG adventures full of bloat or tried to ape the obsession with Soulslikes, incorporating methodical hitbox dodging and disciplined stamina management. But one of the kings of 3D arcade action is awake again and ready to dispense with all of the popular trend chasing. Ninja Gaiden 4 is mostly a game about killing tons of guys by executing the most lethal combos and flashiest executions you can master, and it seems to be completely content with that. I am too.
I had a chance to play a recent build of the game at Microsoft’s campus (Xbox is publishing the game) during PAX West 2025 ahead of Ninja Gaiden 4‘s release on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on October 21. The joint venture between Koei Tecmo’s Team Ninja and Bayonetta makers Platinum Games appears to be going great. Rather than a disjointed sequel divided between two game design philosophies struggling with each other and the series’ infamous legacy, what I played of Ninja Gaiden 4 felt smooth, focused, and fun. Most importantly it exuded confidence about what it is: a high-skill action game that rewards diligent fans with satisfyingly gory thrills.
The story revolves around returning frontman Ryu Hayabusa and a new hero, the Raven Clan’s Yakumo, as they scale a cyberpunk-infused Sky City Tokyo infested with new daemon horrors and futuristic ninja soldiers. Each character has access to different weapons and skill sets, and which you play depends on the chapter your in. The option to replay any chapter as either one unlocks after you finish, and for demo purposes I opted to go with Ryu for old times’ sake.
Within seconds I was chopping off heads and staggering enemies with throwing stars. A perfect dodge gives you a small window to press the attack with a counter-strike that breaks through enemy defenses. There’s also a perfect parry that consists of attacking an enemy right as they’re about to attack you, but it’s an awkward window to exploit and doesn’t feel nearly as satisfying when you’re in the heat of combat (and for those who want a less crunchy experience, there’s an option in the settings menu to turn hitstop completely off).
Ninja Gaiden 4 thrives when you’re constantly moving and trying to combo light, heavy, and projectile attacks into a conveyor belt of carnage. Doing so builds up meter to unleash special attacks or enter a time-limited transformation that alters your moveset an also makes it more lethal, culminating in stylish new insta-kill animations that swap the screen to black, white, and red. The old obliterations are there too, letting you unleash geysers of blood as you quickly execute foes already suffering from severed limbs. The pulled-out third-person camera also performed well during the demo, rarely tripping me up with off-screen attacks amid the controlled chaos.
I only had time to experience the first layer or two of combat, and can see how two characters, a handful of weapons each, and all of the other secondary moves can add up into a combat system with enough depth to keep things interesting while never losing sight of the moment-to-moment satisfaction that propels a game like this forward and keeps you from rage-quitting once you hit a difficulty spike or two (there are three difficulty modes in Ninja Gaiden 4 that you can swap between at any time).
What I’ll be most curious to see from the finished game is whether its level design will feel equally refined or just like a means to an end. The early couple of sections I experienced included some wall running, wall jumping, and grappling hook swinging, both for platforming and combat. Ninja Gaiden 4 has collectibles and I encountered the occasional fork in the road to explore, while statues dotting the level offer checkpoints at which to buy items from and upgrade skills.
But most of the action was confined to flat arenas without many interesting features outside of some split elevations and grappling hook points. If Team Ninja and Platinum Games are able to imbue the later stages with as much drama in-between the big battles as during them, Ninja Gaiden 4 could be the return to demanding hack-and-slash action fans have been waiting for, perfecting the essentials and carving away the rest.
Mayhem seems to be the name of the game when it comes to The Outer Worlds 2. During Xbox Games Showcase, we got to see first-hand how open-ended its approach to missions can be, with its world designed to allow for multiple pathways to achieve your objective. Today at gamescom, we got an even fresher look at some of the shenanigans that can occur in a recent hands-off presentation of Obsidian’s upcoming sci-fi RPG, hosted by Game Director Brandon Adler, with Design Director Matt Singh behind the controls.
Today’s demo was billed as an old-fashioned breaking and entering on the planet of Praetor at the Tomb of the Matriarch, the resting place of the founder of Arcadia and of the Protectorate. Our objective was to locate a secret passage to a high security facility hiding somewhere inside, but first we had to deal with some pesky Protectorate guards stationed outside. Thankfully we had some companions along for the ride: Niles and Tristan.
Niles is an Earth Directorate agent, like our player character, and is an engineer, which makes him pretty good with a wrench. We’re told we can tweak his abilities to function as either a solid tank or heavy ranged damage dealer. Tristan, however, is part of the Protectorate. He judges people and then he decides how he wants to deal with them, potentially executing or imprisoning them. He’s there to give you deeper insight into Protectorate culture and can also function as a solid tank, but more melee focused. For our demo, he was equipped with a large hammer that deals some heavy damage.
As for our character, this build was focused on stealth and firearms with a bit of hacking and engineering on the side (and Observation skills to help uncover secret passages; very convenient). They were also equipped with a Scrutinizer’s Eyepiece for their headwear, designed to scale with Observation skills and modded to increase our number of grenade slots.
On the weapon front, we had a heavy revolver (modified to include a silencer, which is great for stealth), a compact assault rifle with a Reflex Sight mod (increases critical chance), and an antimatter plasma sniper rifle (heavy damage at range). Rounding that out were a handful of plasma grenades. All of this gives great insight into just how customizable our experience can be in The Outer Worlds 2, from party makeup to weapons. It’s all very exciting.
Speaking of our party composition, they seemed uniquely equipped to handle any encounter for our presentation, giving us a preview of how much we can tweak our group of adventurers. It makes me think back to Obsidian’s other recent RPG, Avowed, and how that companion system allowed for a lot of variety in how I wanted my party composition to complement my character. This has been dialed up a bit for The Outer Worlds 2 as it will feature six companions to choose from.
As we approach the tomb, we find some tall grass to duck into, allowing us to survey our approach (the grass can allow us to perform a Stealth Attack). It wasn’t long until the first sniper shot rang out from our side, and our companions jumped into the fray by attacking these guards with plasma grenades hurled at incoming reinforcements. Of note, I liked seeing destructible cover in action once again, as the compact assault rifle tore through some metal barricades, forcing the enemies to retreat to another location. After the chaos of battle died down, it was time to venture inside.
As we enter, we’re immediately drawn to the large display of an exquisite outfit display of something called the Golden Shroud — an important piece for the Protectorate, an item originally worn by the first sovereign. And yes, we can nab it if we can find the “Golden Shroud Display Key” to open the display.
As we continued to navigate through the tomb/museum, we could see through a large glass window at the tombs below in an adjacent room with a docent and a sentinel looking over them. Looting a tomb isn’t necessarily what we came here for, but why not take the opportunity to screw around with its caretakers?
By pulling up a Scanner, we’re able to trace the power output of a panel that controls the tomb’s laser grid security system. If we could manage to hack this panel, we could potentially mess up the docent’s day. But our hacking skill isn’t quite up to the task (yet) – unless we can uncover a “Good Subjects Guide to Electrical Systems” to help hack the panel, we’re told.
Once again, this feeds into the strength of The Outer Worlds 2’s varied and open-ended approach to mission design. Essentially what this means is that almost everything in the world that you’re able to touch, interact with, or see, there’s an intention behind it. There’s usually a tool or something helpful nearby that can help you “try your way” through the game. In this case, it wasn’t long until we really did find a book to assist with the hacking of the panel. In doing so we turned one of the docents into a pile of ash as soon as the laser defense grid suddenly activated.
Moving further through the museum in search of this secret passage, we come across a series of exhibits explaining the history of the Protectorate and the Matriarch, resembling something akin to an art nouveau theme park with animatronic narrators. But what catches our eye is a four-legged robot off to the side known as an automechanical. Searching for a nearby panel, we’re able to use our Engineering ability to disengage the constraints for it to serve as a possible distraction, allowing us to sneak further through the museum. Sure enough, it goes on its way and serves up a great diversion that only Obsidian can deliver… by having it argue with other types of mechanicals guarding the exhibit.
This is yet another great demonstration of how you can be rewarded by exploring all your opportunities that are laid out for you. It really does start to feel like The Outer Worlds 2 is going to give us so many options to mess around with its world — it’s starting to boggle my mind a bit. Taking our previous hands-on time into account, everything we’ve seen and played has had a tremendous amount of open-endedness to it. I’m really looking forward to seeing how far we can push it. If what we’ve seen so far is any indication, we’re going to have a lot of fun following all the breadcrumbs Obsidian has littered about for us to uncover.
And yes, we eventually did find the “Golden Shroud Display Key” on the docent’s body. And while we were there, we decided to loot the tomb and grab the remains of the matriarch – looks like it sells for a high price… but who would buy such a thing? Given the nature of this universe and of its masterful game and quest designers, I’m certain we can find somebody who would buy this off us.
Heading back to the entrance we pick up the Golden Shroud and find that it’s got a unique property on it, where not only do you get a 30% damage resistance that scales with your speech skill, but you can lose half the damage total in bits (currency). Quite the expensive tradeoff by being able to talk your way through Arcadia.
Oh, right. The mission. Well, we did find the secret entrance by investigating the museum further with our observation skill – but that’s when our demo came to an end. An adventure we’ll have to wait for and try another day. Our demo was a perfect example of The Outer Worlds 2’s quest design that sometimes it’s not the destination, but the adventures we had along the way – and in a short span of about 20 minutes, we had plenty to talk about. From storming a museum, electrocuting a docent, hacking an automechanical, checking out an exhibit, and stealing a cool-looking cape. What other adventures are out there for us?
We’ll find out soon once The Outer Worlds 2 launches October 29 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, Battle.net, and Steam — and day one with Game Pass Ultimate. Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition now to get up to 5 days early access and the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack.
The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 20
★★★★★
$99.99
Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition now to get up to 5 days early access and the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack.
The Outer Worlds 2 Premium Edition includes:
– The Outer Worlds 2 base game
– Up to 5 days early access
– DLC Pass for 2 future story expansions*
– Moon Man’s Corporate Appreciation Premium Prize Pack
– Access to The Outer Worlds 2 Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack
* Story expansions available as released
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!
As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions – your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.
Explore a New Frontier
The Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!
Your Commander, Your Way
Build your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own -whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!
Enlist Your Companions
Recruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
The Outer Worlds 2 Standard Preorder Edition
Xbox Game Studios
☆☆☆☆☆ 20
★★★★★
$69.99
Pre-order The Outer Worlds 2 now to receive the Commander Zane’s Anti-Monopolistic Battle Pack at launch.
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!
As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions – your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.
Explore a New Frontier
The Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!
Your Commander, Your Way
Build your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own -whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!
Enlist Your Companions
Recruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
Pac-Man is one of the most recognizable icons in all of gaming, and 2025 is the year of “Make ImPACt” for Pac-Man’s 45th anniversary. To celebrate 45 amazing years, we’re making it easier than ever to chomp into these great Pac-Man titles. Jump and butt-bounce through Ghost Island in 3D, revisit the classics in a customizable virtual arcade, and put your hunger to the test against other competitive eaters in these recent titles – but watch out for the Ghosts!
Pac-Man World Re-Pac, Pac-Man Museum+ and Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday August 21 until Sunday, August 24.
How To Start Playing
Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Keep The Fun Going
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days (Xbox Game Pass Membership Required)
PAC-MAN WORLD Re-PAC
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 201
★★★★★
$29.99
$7.49
Pac-Man World Re-Pac Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Pac-Man to the rescue! Jump into this 3D platforming adventure as Pac-Man sets out to Ghost Island to rescue his kidnapped family from the Pac-imposter, Toc-Man and the Ghosts. With fine-tuned mechanics, updated visuals, and exciting game modes, there’s much more to this remastered classic! Pac-Man World Re-Pac is on sale now for a limited time during this Free Play Days Weekend.
PAC-MAN MUSEUM+
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 234
★★★★★
$19.99
$9.99
Pac-Man Museum+ Xbox Play Anywhere Play the biggest collection of classic Pac-Man games, featuring games from over 40 years of Pac-Man history. Whether you love the original Pac-Man side-scrolling action or the puzzle genre, this collection has something for everyone – including multiplayer titles that can be played with friends and family! Pac-Man Museum+ is on sale now for a limited time during this Free Play Days Weekend.
PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
☆☆☆☆☆ 64
★★★★★
$19.99
$4.99
Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart Delivery Eat to Compete! Try out this 64-player Pac-Man eating competition! Eat your way through multiple interconnected mazes to chomp everything: Dots, Ghosts, and even other Pac-Man players! Party-up with friends, use Power Items to best your foes, and do it in style with fun cosmetics! PvP means Pac versus Pac in this cross-platform, multi-maze, battle of the appetites! Can you be the last Pac standing? Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs is on sale now for a limited time during this Free Play Days Weekend.
Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news.
