Xbox Makes 5 Open-World Games 100% Free Until October 4 With No Game Pass Required

Xbox seems to have been doing quite well in the court of public opinion recently, despite having to continue with layoffs to balance the books after their change of leadership at the top. The acquisition of Hideo Kojima and his studio could prove to be a big win moving forward, and Game Pass continues to be a great value option, even if its future isn't as nailed on as it once was.

If you aren't an active subscriber right now, there are still plenty of ways to get in on the fun, and the best is the company's ongoing Free Play Days promotion. Essentially, the scheme allows players to enjoy as much as the want of select games during a specific period, which they can then buy when the promotion ends if they've had a great time.

As first reported by GameRant, the company has now confirmed exactly which games are up right now, and there are some genuinely worthwhile options this time around.

Far Cry 6

• Original Release Date: October 7, 2021
• Genre: Open-World FPS
• Developer: Ubisoft Toronto
• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Metascore (Xbox): 79
• How Long to Beat: 25 hours

Far Cry 6 might not quite have hit the same heights as some of the earlier games in the series, but it's a solid enough open-world FPS that has an interesting story to explore. Plus, Giancarlo Esposito is in it, and if that isn't a point in the win column then I don't know what is.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

• Original Release Date: October 5, 2018
• Genre: Open-World RPG
• Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Metascore (Xbox): 87
• How Long to Beat: 45 hours

The most underrated game in Assassin's Creed history (if you're asking me, specifically), Odyssey is an epic RPG that takes players through the history and mythology of Ancient Greece. The open-world is enormous, but filled with treasures and secrets to uncover. Don't be surprised if this one gets its hooks in and you use up all your free game time on it.

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

• Original Release Date: December 7, 2023
• Genre: Open-World RPG
• Developer: Massive Entertainment
• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Metascore (Xbox): 75
• How Long to Beat: 24 hours

The video game adaptation of one of the most profitable film series in history actually does a good job of translating it to the new medium. If you're not into the films, then you likely won't care here either, but it remains a good example of the genre more generally.

Skull and Bones

• Original Release Date: February 16, 2024
• Genre: Open-World Naval RPG
• Developer: Ubisoft Singapore
• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Metascore (Xbox): 63
• How Long to Beat: 25 hours

Ubisoft's big AAAA pirate gamble decidedly didn't pay off, and the game really hasn't found its way back onto the straight and narrow ever since. There have been several updates that have improved things, but you're probably better off with Black Flag if you're looking to get all piratical.

The Crew Motorfest

• Original Release Date: September 14, 2023
• Genre: Open-World Racing
• Developer: Ubisoft Ivory Tower
• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Metascore (Xbox): 75
• How Long to Beat: 22 hours

As far as racing games go, The Crew Motorfest toes the line between arcade craziness and genuine simulator well. It's not the best game in the genre of the last few years, but there's more than enough fun to be had here if its the kind of thing you're into.

In case you didn't notice, that essentially means that Ubisoft has been the provider of the good times for Xbox Free Play Days this time around, and there are some genuinely brilliant options to fill your weekend. Just make sure to try everything you're planning on before October 4, when these games will be withdrawn from the offering.