Three games are free to play on Xbox right now, and the window closes on July 12. Xbox Free Play Days is back with another weekend lineup, and this batch is worth paying attention to, especially if you've been sleeping on one particular sci-fi gem.
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The headliner most players should try first
The real draw this weekend is The Alters, a sci-fi survival game that has quietly built a strong reputation since launch. The premise puts you in charge of managing alternate versions of yourself, each with different life choices and skill sets, to survive on a hostile planet. It's the kind of game that sounds strange on paper but clicks immediately once you're in it.
Here's the thing: The Alters is already included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC tiers. This Free Play Days event specifically opens it up to Game Pass Essential subscribers who wouldn't normally have access. If you're on Essential and haven't tried it yet, this weekend is your shot. Both The Alters and MLB The Show 26 are currently 50% off if you decide to buy after playing.
What else is in the lineup
MLB The Show 26 rounds out the sports side of things. Sony San Diego's baseball sim continues to be the definitive version of the sport in game form, and this is a solid opportunity to test it before committing to a purchase at half price.
The third title, STUFFED, is a first-person co-op shooter where you play as a teddy bear defending against waves of garden gnomes and other toy-world threats. It's exactly as chaotic as it sounds. The co-op angle makes it a decent pick if you want something to play with a friend this weekend, though unlike the other two, STUFFED is not currently discounted.
Subscription requirements and the discount window
The access requirement this time around is a bit stricter than some past Free Play Days events. You'll need at least one tier of Xbox Game Pass to get in, so this isn't a completely open free-for-all. The key here is that even the lowest-cost Essential tier gets you through the door.
All three games are playable through late July 12, giving you a few days to put in real time rather than just a quick sample. The 50% discount on MLB The Show 26 and The Alters runs alongside the free play window, so if either clicks with you, the buy-in is lower than usual right now.
With Forza Horizon 6 also generating buzz in the Xbox ecosystem lately, there's a lot happening on the platform. If you're building out your Xbox game library, check out the Forza Horizon 6 loyalty rewards guide to see how past Forza players can claim up to 6 free cars just for their history with the series.
Three games, one weekend, zero excuses
Free Play Days lineups vary wildly in quality, and this one lands above average. Getting The Alters in front of Essential subscribers is a smart move from Microsoft, and the discounts running in parallel give the event actual stakes beyond just sampling.
Pro tip: If you only have time for one, start with The Alters. Give it an hour before judging it. The opening loop takes a little time to open up, but once the base-building and crew management systems kick in, it's hard to put down.
For more guides on what's worth playing across the Xbox library and beyond, the full gaming guides hub has you covered heading into the rest of July.
