Xbox Game Pass is making this weekend one of the most stacked in recent memory, with a Day One puzzle-platformer topping the charts, two free-to-play shooters requiring zero subscription, and a full March catalog that stretches from open-world RPGs to neon-soaked arcade racers.
Planet of Lana II Day One on Game Pass
The Headliner: Planet of Lana II Arrives Day One
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is the clear standout for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers this weekend. Developed by Wishfully and published by Thunderful Publishing, the cinematic puzzle-platformer launched on March 5 as a Day One addition, meaning subscribers pay nothing extra to jump in immediately.
Here's the thing: the numbers back up the hype. The game carries a 91% approval rating on Steam, 4 out of 5 stars on the Xbox Store, and 4.38 out of 5 stars on the PlayStation Store, placing it ahead of every other Day One Game Pass title released so far in 2026 when user scores are factored in. Its Metacritic score of 82 makes it the 19th highest-rated release of the year.
The sequel builds on the quiet, deliberate pacing of the 2023 original. Lana is older and more capable, but her bond with companion Mui still anchors the experience. Expect environmental puzzles that reward careful observation over brute logic, an orchestral score that earns its emotional moments, and a runtime of roughly 6 to 8 hours, tightly paced from start to finish. It is available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, with Play Anywhere support.
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Planet of Lana II is exclusive to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass as a Day One title. It is not available through the Essential or Premium tiers at launch.Two Free Shooters This Weekend, No Game Pass Needed
For players who do not subscribe to any tier of Game Pass, Xbox is running a separate free weekend promotion covering two online shooters. Neither title requires a subscription of any kind.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 features multiple modes but centers on its core PvP experience. It is also available under the Xbox Play Anywhere program.
- FBC: Firebreak, from Remedy Entertainment, is a co-op extraction-style shooter built around distinct classes. Players team up to eliminate enemies and complete objectives, with a progression system designed to encourage repeated runs across multiple difficulty settings.
Both titles are available for the duration of the promotion. Shooter fans have two genuinely different experiences to work through: one is a competitive PvP machine, the other a cooperative extraction game with meaningful class interplay.
FBC: Firebreak class loadout screen
The Broader March 2026 Game Pass Catalog
Beyond this weekend's highlights, the full Xbox Game Pass March 2026 lineup adds several titles across genres. Here is a snapshot of what subscribers can access:
What most players miss is the depth that Cyberpunk 2077 brings to the catalog. CD Projekt RED's open-world RPG, set in the neon-saturated Night City, follows mercenary V through a story that spirals after a job goes catastrophically wrong. Years after launch, it remains one of the most visually striking titles available on current hardware and arrives in Game Pass with all post-launch content updates included.
EA Sports F1 25 from EA Sports is worth noting for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers specifically. Those on Ultimate receive a 5,000 XP boost for March 2026 alongside access to the full Formula 1 simulation, which covers real-world teams, drivers, and circuits alongside a deep career mode.
What Else Is Coming in March
The March lineup extends well past the opening weekend. Several high-profile titles are scheduled across the rest of the month, though most are not included in Game Pass at launch.
- Marathon (March 5), Bungie's PvPvE extraction shooter set on Tau Ceti IV, puts six distinct Runner shells against rival players and environmental hazards. It is not a Game Pass Day One title.
- Sumerian Six (March 6) is a real-time tactical stealth game from Artificer that blends WWII alternate history with occult science and class-based squad abilities.
- Crimson Desert (March 19) from Pearl Abyss is arguably March's most anticipated non-Game Pass release, an open-world action RPG set in the continent of Pywel with Play Anywhere support on Xbox and PC.
- Life is Strange Reunion (March 26) from Deck Nine Games and Square Enix reunites Max and Chloe in a narrative adventure with branching choices and dual-character gameplay.
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Marathon, Crimson Desert, and Life is Strange Reunion are not included in Xbox Game Pass at launch. Confirm subscription availability before purchasing.The key here is that even without those heavy hitters in the catalog, the combination of Planet of Lana II as a Day One addition, the free shooter weekend, and the arrival of Cyberpunk 2077 gives subscribers a genuinely varied slate to work through before Monday.
Cyberpunk 2077 now on Game Pass
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Planet of Lana II require Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to play Day One?
Yes. Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is available as a Day One Game Pass title exclusively for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. It is not accessible through the Essential or Premium tiers at launch.
Do the free weekend games require any Xbox subscription?
No. Both Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and FBC: Firebreak are available free this weekend without any tier of Xbox Game Pass. The promotion is time-limited, so players should access them before the offer ends.
Is Cyberpunk 2077 available on Xbox Game Pass in March 2026?
Yes. Cyberpunk 2077 from CD Projekt RED has been added to the Xbox Game Pass catalog for March 2026, giving subscribers access to the full game including its post-launch updates.
What platforms support Planet of Lana II through Game Pass?
The game is available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. It also supports the Play Anywhere program, meaning a single purchase or Game Pass entitlement covers both Xbox and PC.