Xbox‘s Free Play Days promotion returns with a handful of new games that are available for free from October 15 through October 18. Generally speaking, this promotion’s greatest strength is the top-notch variety of games usually offered, meaning there’s something for everyone. This Xbox promotion’s greatest weakness is, unfortunately, that it is a tad complex.
Claiming these games is not usually difficult, as Xbox users simply need to search their console or navigate to the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and find the Xbox Free Play Days tab. Beyond that, though, sometimes this promotion divides the available games between Free for All (which explains itself) and then Free for Xbox Game Pass subscribers (meaning it’s essentially a free bonus perk for Xbox Game Pass subscribers only, not an addition to the service). It’s sometimes 50/50, but it sometimes leans one way or another, too, with the October 15-October 18 promotion leaning toward the latter.
Xbox Free Play Days List (October 8-October 11)
Xbox’s Free Play Days games include NBA 2K27, Crusader Kings 3, The Alters, Bus Simulator 21, Soccer Story, and Ravenswatch, with every game requiring an Xbox Game Pass subscription aside from The Alters. Even then, The Alters unfortunately is a 3-hour timed trial, meaning fans cannot play it to the same extent as other games (another random aspect of this promotion). While it is one of the more restrictive offerings in those terms, it’s also one of the widest in terms of gameplay and genres. To help readers decide which game to play, additional details (like how long to beat/review scores) and available links are listed below.
- NBA 2K27 (Xbox Game Pass Required)
- Crusader Kings 3 (Xbox Game Pass Required)
- The Alters (NO Xbox Game Pass Required)
- Bus Simulator 21 (Xbox Game Pass Required)
- Soccer Story (Xbox Game Pass Required)
- Ravenswatch (Xbox Game Pass Required)
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Any tier of Xbox Game Pass will work for these games. The easiest way to claim this promotion is to navigate to the Xbox Store on your console or PC, search for the game, and download it from its store page.
Xbox Free Play Days – NBA 2K27
NBA 2K27 brings another season of professional basketball to consoles and PC, with updated gameplay systems designed to give players more control on both ends of the court. New NBA 2K27 features include customizable dribbling, dynamic layups, a manually timed Dunk Meter, improved defensive mechanics, and smarter AI. Outside the court, MyCAREER introduces five historical eras and a new cinematic story called Fire & Concrete, while co-op MyCAREER lets friends work toward NBA success together. Players can also build their own teams in MyTEAM or manage an entire franchise in MyNBA, which adds a 100-year legacy experience.
- Original Release Date: September 4, 2026
- Genre: Sports Simulation
- Developer: Visual Concepts
- Publisher: 2K
- Metascore (Xbox): 79, Generally Favorable
- How Long to Beat: 40+
- Xbox Store Link: Play NBA 2K27 Free on Xbox
Xbox Free Play Days – Crusader Kings 3
In Crusader Kings 3, building a powerful kingdom takes more than winning battles. This medieval grand strategy game puts players in charge of a noble dynasty, where political marriages, religious decisions, alliances, betrayals, and succession struggles can shape generations of rulers. Characters have their own personalities, relationships, and ambitions, meaning even a successful ruler can leave behind a complicated legacy when they die. With wars to wage and rival families to outmaneuver, Crusader Kings 3 turns the history of a medieval dynasty into a player-driven story where diplomacy can be just as important as military strength.
- Original Release Date: September 1, 2020
- Genre: Grand Strategy
- Developer: Paradox
- Publisher: Paradox
- Metascore (Xbox): 83, Generally Favorable
- How Long to Beat: A full run can be upward of 50 hours; most runs can be more casual, but that’s still 20+ hours.
- Xbox Store Link: Play Crusader Kings 3 on Xbox
Xbox Free Play Days – The Alters
What if the person you became depended on a single decision you made years ago? That’s the central idea behind The Alters, a sci-fi survival game from 11 bit studios. Players control Jan Dolski, the lone survivor of a failed expedition stranded on a hostile planet, who must create alternate versions of himself to help operate a mobile base and find a way to escape. Each Alter represents a different path Jan’s life could have taken, bringing unique skills, needs, and personalities to the crew. Gathering resources, expanding the base, and avoiding deadly planetary conditions are only part of the challenge, as managing relationships with these alternate selves can be just as difficult as surviving the environment.
- Original Release Date: June 13, 2025
- Genre: Survival
- Developer: 11 Bit Studios
- Publisher: 11 Bit Studios
- Metascore (Xbox): 86, Generally Favorable
- How Long to Beat: 20 hours
- Xbox Store Link: Play The Alters Free on Xbox
Find all 10 pairs
Find all 10 pairs
Regular Cover ArtClean Cover Art
Xbox Free Play Days – Bus Simulator 21
In a world of rowdy racing games, Bus Simulator 21 is about getting passengers to their destinations safely and on time while building a successful bus operation. Players can take the wheel of around 30 officially licensed buses from real-world manufacturers, including electric buses and double-deckers, across two large environments inspired by the United States and Europe. Beyond driving, the game lets players plan routes, create timetables, purchase vehicles, and manage their transportation business, with the option to automate some management tasks. Solo players can run their own service, while online co-op lets friends share the responsibility of keeping the city’s buses moving.
- Original Release Date: September 7, 2021
- Genre: Vehicle Simulation
- Developer: Stillalive Studios
- Publisher: Astragon
- Metascore (Xbox): 69, Mixed or Average
- How Long to Beat: 25 Hours
- Xbox Store Link: Play Bus Simulator 21 Free on Xbox
Xbox Free Play Days – Soccer Story
Soccer is banned, stadiums are closed, and Soccer Inc. controls the sport’s future in Soccer Story. Fortunately, a magical soccer ball chooses the player to help bring the game back. This quirky adventure RPG mixes physics-based ball mechanics with exploration, puzzles, quests, and unusual matches against opponents ranging from toddlers to sharks. Players can kick their ball around the world to uncover secrets, help local characters, and challenge teams while working to restore soccer’s place in society. When the story takes a break, local multiplayer supports up to four players, making Soccer Story a more unconventional option for anyone looking for a soccer game that goes beyond traditional matches.
- Original Release Date: November 29, 2022
- Genre: Sports/Puzzle
- Developer: Panic Barn
- Publisher: No More Robots
- Metascore (Xbox): 67, Mixed or Average
- How Long to Beat: 9.5 Hours
- Xbox Store Link: Play Soccer Story Free on Xbox
Xbox Free Play Days – Ravenswatch
Fairy-tale heroes have a darker side in Ravenswatch, a challenging action roguelike game from the developer of Curse of the Dead Gods. Players control corrupted versions of legendary characters, including Little Red Riding Hood and Sun Wukong, as they fight the Nightmare spreading across the dream world of Reverie. Each hero has a distinct fighting style, and players must combine skills, talents, and magical items to survive increasingly dangerous encounters. Runs unfold across three large maps inspired by different folklore and fantasy traditions, with exploration and upgrades competing against the need to prepare for powerful bosses. Ravenswatch can be played alone or with up to four players in online co-op, where teamwork and complementary character builds can make the difference between survival and defeat.
- Original Release Date: September 26, 2024
- Genre: Action Roguelike
- Developer: Passtech Games
- Publisher: Nacon
- Metascore (Xbox): 84, Generally Favorable
- How Long to Beat: 10 hours, give or take
- Xbox Store Link: Play Ravenswatch Free on Xbox
Source: Xbox Wire
