The first pre-alpha playtest of Project Evilbane will begin tomorrow in the Xbox Insider Hub! During this 3-day test, we hope to gather your valuable feedback and further refine the game into a more polished experience. Gather around if you’re ready to hunt demons, Insiders!

Game Overview:

Project Evilbane follows a hardened team of apocalyptic survivors who have sworn to avenge their ruined world. Join the battle to triumph over the Archdemon’s forces and save humanity!

Playtest Introduction:

Project Evilbane is currently in the early stages of development. To help shape it into a more enjoyable game, we’re conducting our first playtest to gather your valuable feedback. The main goal of this playtest is to evaluate the fun and feel of combat. You can enter the battlefield solo or in a party of up to four players, taking on various missions and fighting powerful bosses.

In this playtest, you will be able to try out four different characters and four weapon types. Players can equip one melee weapon and one ranged weapon at the same time to use strategically in combat. Skills are divided into two types: Active Skills and Heavenstone Skills. Each character can equip two of each type, allowing for customizable loadouts. Turn the tide of battle in critical moments with well-timed skills and experience the thrill of clutch plays. Mix and match your preferred skills to create your own unique combat style. Whether you fight solo or team up with others, we hope you’ll have a thrilling time.

We look forward to hearing all your feedback!

Playtest Schedule:

• Start: Friday, August 29, 1:00 AM PT (4:00 AM ET)
• End: Monday, September 1, 1:00 AM PT (4:00 AM ET)

Bookmark the Evilbane website and join the Discord server to be the first to get the latest news!
[Evilbane Discord]
[Evilbane Website]

How to Participate:

1. Launch the Xbox Insider Hub on your Windows PC (or, if necessary, download the Xbox Insider Hub from the store.)
2. Navigate to Previews > Project Evilbane
3. Select Join
4. Wait for the registration to complete and be directed to the Store and install Evilbane

NOTE: This playtest is only available on Windows PC.
NOTE: This playtest is only available to Xbox Insiders in the United States and Canada.

How to Provide Feedback:

After playing the game, be sure to take the Evilbane Survey available in the Xbox Insider Hub to share your experience and help us improve.

You can also report any issues using the Windows Feedback Hub following these steps:

• Open the Windows Feedback Hub on your PC.
• Select Report a problem.
• Fill out the form with the appropriate details to help our investigation. Make sure to include the name “Project Evilbane” in your feedback.
• Select the Apps category and Project Evilbane subcategory.
• Submit the feedback.

Other resources:

• Get the Xbox Insider Hub app
• Xbox Insider FAQ
• How to provide feedback as an Xbox Insider

For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.

Lock in this weekend, as we’ve got plenty to play with Free Play Days! EA Sports College Football 26, Surviving Mars and Lost Eidolons are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday, August 28 until Sunday, August 31.

The Knightling is free for all Xbox members to try during Free Play Days with a 2-hour timed trial (Xbox Game Pass Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership not required).

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

EA SPORTS College Football 26

Electronic Arts

☆☆☆☆☆
447

★★★★★

$69.99

$62.99

Get it now

Free Trial

EA Sports College Football 26
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Bring Glory Home in EA Sports College Football 26 and experience the world of college football. Whatever path to greatness you choose, from high school recruit to the Heisman, or as a coach, you can forge your legacy.

Surviving Mars

Paradox Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆
2000

★★★★★

$29.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

Surviving Mars
There will be challenges to overcome. Execute your strategy and improve your colony’s chances of survival while unlocking the mysteries of this alien world. Are you ready? Mars is waiting for you.

The Knightling

Saber Interactive Inc

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$29.99

$23.99

Get it now

Free Trial

The Knightling
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
The Knightling is a platforming action adventure where you play as an aspiring knight in search of their missing mentor, Sir Lionstone. Equipped with only a legendary shield, you’ll brave your way through the lands of Clesseia to become the unlikely hero.

Lost Eidolons

PID Games

☆☆☆☆☆
53

★★★★★

$34.99

$20.99

Get it now

Lost Eidolons
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Try our turn-based tactical RPG with a gripping cinematic narrative for a limited time. Set in a waning empire riven by civil war, take on the role of a charming mercenary captain, Eden, and lead his band of allies through epic encounters on a classic turn-based battlefield during Free Play Days. Enjoy a special 40% discount until September 8.

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. 

Every Wednesday, dive into the Indie Select Hub—your gateway to a fresh, curated indie collection plus four themed spotlights that rotate weekly!  You can always find this collection hub in the Xbox Store and on Xbox.com/IndieSelects.

Indie Selects is back for another month and, in honor of the new school year, we are pleased to inform you that the (definitely, absolutely real) ID@Xbox School of Independent Gamers has put together a curriculum of indie games that will give you an education in new ideas, advanced mechanics, and “having a really good time”. Here are the courses we think you should attend this month:

• Platforming, Ninjas, and You with Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
• Interpretive Loot-and-Shoot with Wildgate
• The Politics of Ratshaking with, er, Ratshaker
• Adrenaline 101 with Killing Floor 3
• Illusionary Architecture Theory with Monument Valley 3
• Advanced Communication and Coordination with Ready or Not

Here’s more on what we’ve got for you this month (in no particular order):

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

From the studio behind the Blasphemous series, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a new 2D action platformer that serves as a side-quel to Ninja Gaiden (NES), with all the modern-retro polish that publisher Dotemu (Streets of Rage 4, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge) has become known for. Players control Kenji, a student of Ryu Hayabusa (franchise main protag, former Halo 3 armor), who’s merged with a rival ninja, Kumori, to fight off a demon invasion… and maybe the CIA.

If you’re wondering whether this can capture the gratifying difficulty of classic Ninja Gaiden, well, I’d say the game is called “Ragebound” for a reason (please don’t roll your eyes). It’s hard but it feels rewarding.

A combination of compulsive storytelling and satisfying gameplay mechanics helped me overlook the hours I’ve accumulated fighting the same boss, or when navigating the unforgiving level design. The emphasis on combat mastery and skill has been a staple of the modern series, while the tight platforming, pattern recognition and frankly, punishing enemy placement has been around since its first title on the NES. Developer The Game Kitchen has done an excellent job of bridging the two eras of Ninja Gaiden – leveraging a refined, classic 2D formula as the base while interweaving the combat complexity of the later installments.

Don’t be discouraged by the promise of difficulty, though – Ragebound does a great job of onboarding new players, and the difficulty curve is pretty graceful between acts. It doesn’t feel sudden, rushed or unexpected and instead played well into the narrative. Things got harder as the situation for Kenji became worse, which made sense, so I couldn’t really be mad (even if I frequently was). Regardless of what this game put me through, I could not put it down – I recommend this to you if you’re into old-school action and gameplay, if you’re a fan of the franchise… or if you just like ninjas – Deron Mann

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound

Dotemu

☆☆☆☆☆
110

★★★★★

$24.99

Get it now

A NEW TWIST TO THE SIDE-SCROLLING NINJA GAIDEN SERIES EXPERIENCE

From the acclaimed team behind Blasphemous, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound successfully unites the classic lore and gameplay of the Tecmo-developed (now KOEI TECMO GAMES) NINJA GAIDEN series from the classic era with the depth and intensity of the modern 3D entries. The best of both eras come together to create an epic and thrilling adventure.

DIVE INTO AN UNTOLD CHAPTER OF THE NINJA GAIDEN SAGA

Our story begins when Ryu Hayabusa journeys to America to honor his father’s will. While he is away, the barrier between the human and the demon worlds suddenly shatters, unleashing a terrifying army upon the Hayabusa Village, which now faces an unprecedented threat in Ryu’s absence.

To stand against this new threat, Kenji Mozu, a young ninja from the Hayabusa Village, rises to the challenge! Trained by Ryu, he fights fiercely but soon finds himself in desperate straits. Forced to tap into forbidden power, Kenji sets aside centuries of animosity and forms an alliance with the sinister Black Spider Clan, convinced that combining their souls and skills is the only way to protect the world out of the Demon Lord’s grasp!

OLD SCHOOL GAMEPLAY WITH A BRAND-NEW POLISH

Combining old-school feeling with modern precision, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound retains the pick-up-and-play action of the classic titles, while introducing new layers of depth.

Alongside the new protagonist, Kenji Mozu, is the skilled assassin Kumori. Take control of these two powerful ninjas simultaneously and unravel their interconnected stories.

Use the Ninja Fusion to unleash devastating abilities and obliterate your enemies. NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound features impeccable mechanics that are easy to learn but hard to truly master, challenging the skills of even the most seasoned fans of the NINJA GAIDEN series!

A SPECTACULAR PIXEL ART SHOWDOWN

Step into a reimagined version of the classic NINJA GAIDEN universe, brought to life through stunning, meticulously crafted visuals. Every enemy is recreated with a level of detail that was once impossible.

The brutal, nostalgia-filled aesthetic of NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound pays homage to the past while pushing the boundaries of modern pixel art, making every battle a feast for the eyes.

Do you have what it takes to become a true ninja master?

Wildgate

Wildgate is a team-based PvPvE extraction shooter that throws players into the chaos of deep space, blending high-stakes spaceship battles with close-quarters crew combat. Each match features 20 space pirates called Prospectors split into squads of four. The mission? Dive into space, raid PvE dungeons for loot, upgrade your ship, outgun rival crews, secure the mysterious artifact, and make your escape through the Wildgate. The game features a variety of weapons and abilities to contend with, deadly environmental hazards, and, of course, loot worth fighting for. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like if Sea of Thieves and Overwatch had a baby—this is it.

From the very first match, it’s clear to me that Wildgate isn’t your typical multiplayer experience. Coordination over voice chat isn’t just helpful, but essential. You and your crew will be leaping from asteroid to asteroid, raiding different spots in pursuit of loot, upgrades, and the elusive artifact that everyone’s after. That means the faster you can be in and out, the less likely you are to run into an unexpected ambush.

But running and gunning is just half the battle, as your crew will have to coordinate piloting the ship, performing repairs, and boarding rival ships. With the right team, few things are more satisfying than hopping onto an enemy ship, picking it clean, and making a daring escape. But I’ve also been in squads that were either eerily silent or loud and chaotic – both of which can make the experience feel overwhelming or, worse, made us cannon fodder for more organized crews. You truly need to find a squad for this one.

Customization in Wildgate is impressively well-designed. Each of the characters you have to choose from, called Prospectors, have unique traits, loadouts, and a signature ability that can dramatically shift the tide of a match. Traits can include not needing to breathe, healing while aboard your ship, seeing through walls, or punching through enemy hulls, all of which can lead to some wild and memorable encounters with rival crews. The same goes for weapons, gear, and unlockable ships offering plenty of room for creative builds and min-maxing opportunities.

Wildgate’s design is layered and impressively polished, yet it still feels like it’s in its initial stages – there’s so much scope to grow from here. This could easily become a standout in the fiercely competitive extraction shooter genre as more content rolls out. If you’re a fan of the genre already, this needs to be in your queue – and if you’re a newcomer, get yourself a crew and come aboard – Raymond Estrada

Wildgate

Dreamhaven, Inc.

☆☆☆☆☆
151

★★★★★

$29.99

Get it now

Blast off into high-stakes spaceship battles and intense first-person shootouts, where no two matches are ever the same. If you want to claim the ultimate prize — the mysterious and priceless Artifact — you’ll need to improvise on the fly, whether it’s chasing down rival crews and stealing their gear, repairing your damaged ship, or scanning for precious resources.

Your ship is your home and lifeline — for you, and your prospector crew. Keep it topped up with ice, fuel and ammo so you’re ready for anyone or anything the Reach throws at you.

EPIC SPACESHIP BATTLES
Blast your enemies with hi-tech cannons and gadgets, lure them into deadly traps, or even mess with their ship… as long as they don’t sabotage yours first. When your perfect plan goes out the airlock, there’s only one option… wing it!

NEW ADVENTURES, EVERY MATCH
Stay one step ahead as you and your crew navigate the Reach — a vast, procedurally-generated map that changes with every game.

UNIQUE PROSPECTORS
Choose from a variety of daring prospectors, each with their own abilities and tools. Whether you’re a brave pilot or a clever trickster, there’s no wrong way to commit space crimes!

EXPLORE THE REACH
The Reach is a dangerous, unpredictable place, filled with deadly hazards and treasure beyond your wildest dreams. Navigate through cosmic storms, battle space vermin, and plunder alien ruins for lost caches of loot. Just make sure you beat the other prospectors to the punch, or you’ll fly away empty-handed!

OUTRUN OR OUTGUN
The Artifact is the most valuable object in the known universe. Be the first to find it, snatch it, and pass through the Wildgate, or destroy the ships of every other crew and be the last crew standing.

Killing Floor 3

I still remember my first time booting up the original Killing Floor – the frantic reloads, the eerie silence before a wave, and the absolute panic when a Scrake rounded the corner. Killing Floor 2 dialed it all up: better weapons, bloodier battles, and a glorious soundtrack that made every fight feel like a metal concert in a warzone. So, when Killing Floor 3 dropped, I didn’t hesitate. I was already home.

Developed by Tripwire Interactive, Killing Floor 3 is a co-op FPS that throws you and your squad into the heart of a sci-fi nightmare. You’ll face relentless waves of Zeds – genetically engineered monstrosities that are faster, meaner, and somehow even uglier than before. The combat is crunchy and satisfying, the maps are drenched in neon and dread, and the pacing keeps you constantly on edge.

It’s everything longtime fans love, but sharper. The atmosphere feels like Doom and Aliens had a baby, raised in a bunker lit by strobe lights and soaked in adrenaline. I’ve spent hours perfecting my loadout, yelling “Cover me, I’m reloading!” with unnecessary action hero bravado , and laughing with friends as we barely survived wave ten.

Tripwire Interactive knows exactly what makes this franchise tick – and they’ve delivered a third chapter that’s as brutal and brilliant as ever. If you’ve been with the series since the beginning, Killing Floor 3 feels like a love letter to the chaos we grew up with – just louder, faster, and somehow even more fun. And if you’re new? Welcome to the party. Just don’t forget to heal your teammates. Or at least pretend you tried – Steven Allen

Killing Floor 3

Tripwire Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆
228

★★★★★

$39.99

Get it now

It’s 2091. Join up with Nightfall, the last line of defense against megacorp Horzine’s inhuman army of monstrous zeds. The future is in your hands… if you can survive long enough to reach it.

Killing Floor 3 is the next installment in the legendary action/horror series. This intense FPS puts you in the boots of a Nightfall specialist joining forces with up to five teammates to battle waves of Zeds, earn dosh, unlock skills, and build the ultimate arsenal.

KILLER CO-OP
Assemble the ultimate zed extermination squad for frenzied 6-player co-op. You can also brave the battlefield alone in tense single-player mode.

RELENTLESS ZEDS
Brace yourself for the most lethal zeds yet. Every enemy has been redesigned and retuned with smarter AI; making them faster, deadlier, and more strategic than ever.

SURVIVAL TECH
From flamethrowers to shotguns to katanas, you’ll have an expansive arsenal at your disposal. Customize your own unique brand of bloodletting with hundreds of mods, gadgets, and skills to choose from.

DANGEROUS LOCATIONS
Drop into a variety of treacherous hot zones where you’ll have to contain the further spread of the Outbreak. Thankfully, you can use the environment to your advantage by activating turrets, fans, and other devastating traps.

MORE GORE
Our MEAT System returns to deliver even more realistic carnage. Featuring additional points of dismemberment and persistent blood, the game responds to your attacks with gruesome authenticity.

Monument Valley 3

Monument Valley 3, the newest installment in the acclaimed puzzle series, has arrived on Xbox. Renowned for its serene, visually captivating gameplay, this series challenges players with clever puzzles while immersing them in stunning, artful environments. With its fixed perspectives, Persian-inspired aesthetics, and mesmerizing Escher-like architecture, this latest chapter continues to offer a soothing yet stimulating experience that’s as beautiful as it is brain-bending.

New to the series? No worries! While Monument Valley 3 follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, it tells a completely standalone story. With minimal dialogue and text, the game relies on subtle visual storytelling through movement, animation, and atmosphere to convey its themes. The crux of the story is that the world is crumbling, the water is rising, and you must find a way to restore light back into the world by navigating architecture-based puzzles.

After the introduction, you’ll find yourself guiding the protagonist, Noor, to the exit of each area by moving parts of the environment around – the architecture bending reality through optical illusions. Structures that go across an axis can sometimes blend into one another, changing the structure of the environment just by altering its perspective. At times, it feels like solving a living Magic Eye puzzle – spotting the hidden path can make your eyes work overtime.

The puzzle difficulty in Monument Valley 3 ramps up nicely. Early levels gently ease you into the game’s signature perspective-shifting mechanics before gradually presenting more and more intricate challenges that will have you scanning every detail for clues. A standout new feature in this installment is the addition of a boat, which you can navigate across rising waters. This mechanic adds a new layer of complexity, especially in puzzles that require you to coordinate movement between multiple areas to progress.

Monument Valley 3 is a beautiful, bite-sized puzzler that is very enjoyable while it lasts. I would recommend it for anyone that enjoys a calm serene puzzle but won’t get frustrated when the answer is literally staring you in the face – Raymond Estrada

Monument Valley 3

ustwo games

☆☆☆☆☆
7

★★★★★

$19.99

Get it now

Set sail for adventure in MONUMENT VALLEY 3, a brand new story in the award-winning Monument Valley series.

Guide Noor, an apprentice lightkeeper, through impossible monuments, shifting landscapes, and tranquil seascapes to uncover the Sacred Light and save her home.

Monument Valley 3 takes you beyond the monuments and into the open sea. As Noor, you’ll navigate stunning, changing environments, solve mind-bending puzzles, and uncover the secrets of the Sacred Light. With her village threatened by rising tides, Noor must chart her own course—and discover her own strength—in this stunning, emotional adventure.

Sail between geometry, manipulate architecture to reveal hidden paths, and let the iconic soundtrack guide you forward. With new mechanics, breathtaking visuals, and the series’ signature charm, Monument Valley 3 is a voyage like no other.

Features:

– Defy Perspective: Rotate and manipulate the environment to reveal hidden paths, solve intricate puzzles

– Uncover The Mystery: Help Noor unlock the secrets of this ever-changing world.

– Beautiful Art: A stunning world inspired by modern design, global architecture and hand-crafted, personal stories.

– Every Update Included: Full Story is included, with brand new updates to come

Adventure awaits—will you uncover the light that guides the way?

ustwo games are proud independent developers, best known for the award-winning Monument Valley series, Land’s End, Assemble with Care and Alba: A Wildlife Adventure.

RatShaker

Every so often, a game comes along that defies neat descriptions. RatShaker is one of those. It’s short, strange, and unlike anything else I’ve played on Xbox and that’s exactly why it stuck with me. This isn’t the kind of game where you grind levels or chase loot. Instead, RatShaker asks you to slow down, lean into the absurd, and let yourself experience something that feels more like an experiment than a traditional adventure. The controls are simple, the pacing deliberate, and yet the effect is oddly captivating.

This is a game for players who appreciate the unconventional. If you enjoy titles like What Remains of Edith Finch, The Stanley Parable, or Don’t Touch Anything, you’ll likely find RatShaker intriguing. It’s perfect for those who value atmosphere, experimental design, and games that make you think (or squirm). If I had to pin it down, I’d call RatShaker a surreal narrative experience with elements of psychological comedy. It blends interactive storytelling with absurdist humor and a touch of eerie tension – think walking simulator meets performance art.

What impressed me most was how RatShaker balances its humor and its tension. It never feels like it’s trying to be a blockbuster or a polished crowd-pleaser – instead, it leans fully into its own identity. You’re invited to play along, to laugh, to feel uneasy, and, above all, to experience something you probably didn’t expect when you pressed start. It’s the kind of game I recommend not because it’s “fun” in the conventional sense, but because it’s memorable.

You’ll finish RatShaker in one sitting. It’s roughly 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much you explore or linger. It’s designed to be brief but impactful. You might finish RatShaker in an evening, but you’ll likely be thinking about it the next day, wondering how such a simple idea managed to get under your skin in such a playful way. If you’re looking for something different, something you can’t quite compare to anything else, RatShaker won’t be easily shaken after you finish – Steven Allen

Ratshaker

Dark Product

☆☆☆☆☆
78

★★★★★

$3.49

Get it now

RATSHAKER – The Ultimate Solution to All Your RAT Problems!
Tired of pests taking over your space? Say goodbye to them for good with RATSHAKER, the revolutionary new way to deal with unwanted pests! Just take and shake, and RATSHAKER does the rest. No traps, no mess, no unmarked disposal barrels!

With RATSHAKER, you take control! Feel the satisfaction of watching the meter rise as you shake that rat into submission. The more you shake, the closer you get to solving your problems for good. Fast-acting, easy to use, and highly effective, RATSHAKER ensures your space stays problem-free in no time.

Ready or Not

Developed by Void Interactive, Ready or Not is a co-op FPS that puts you in the boots of a SWAT officer called in when things go from bad to worse. Hostage rescues. Barricaded suspects. Active threats. The tension is relentless, but the game makes it thrilling, not overwhelming. You don’t need to memorize military jargon or master complex controls. Just grab your gear, trust your squad, and try not to flashbang yourself (again). So, it started with a simple plan: hop online, play a few rounds, and maybe not embarrass myself. I’d heard Ready or Not was intense, but I figured, how hard could it be? Then came the mission.

A quiet suburban house. The briefing said, “hostage situation.” My brain said, “don’t mess this up.” We stacked up at the door, flashbangs ready, hearts pounding. Two floors cleared. One room left. The hallway was silent, too silent. Lights flickered. A suspect shouted from behind the locked door. My team waited for my signal. I nodded. Breach. Flash. Chaos. Victory. Fist-bump.

Since then, I’ve spent countless evenings laughing, learning, and slowly mastering the art of clearing rooms without yelling “clear!” into empty hallways. It’s got the tension of Rainbow Six Siege, but with more breathing room and a slower, more deliberate pace. Ready or Not doesn’t ask if you’re prepared, it surrounds you with silence, pressure, and the kind of intensity that makes you lean in. And once you’re in, you won’t want to leave – Steven Allen

Ready or Not

VOID Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆
525

★★★★★

$49.99

$39.99

Get it now

Become an elite SWAT commander and bring order to a city overwhelmed by chaos and corruption.

Lead a team of highly-trained SWAT officers through harrowing, high-risk missions against violent, cruel and calculated criminals to stop the city from spiralling into disorder. Equip real-world weapons and gear to tackle missions inspired by current events against Los Sueňos’ ruthless criminal element.

Every decision, from squad selection to tactical breach and engagement is the difference between life and death.

Are you ready?

FEATURES

Take Command
Ready or Not delivers an immersive SWAT experience. Equip your team with authentic weapons and gear, deploy into high-stakes, real-world inspired missions to secure locations concealing unknown criminal threats and potential civilians. Every mission demands tactical precision and situational awareness. Bullets from known and concealed threats react realistically with the environment, passing through walls, furniture and bodies. Cover your six, clear your corners, apprehend the threats and rescue the innocent.

The Weight of the Badge
Shoulder the weight of being a SWAT commander entrusted with confronting Los Sueňos’ criminal corruption and stopping it from overwhelming the city’s citizens. Every tactical decision matters, every outcome is yours to bear. Your choices in the field dictate mission success, the survival of your squad and the safety of hostages. Squadmate and hostage deaths take a profound psychological toll on surviving team members, affecting their performance or ending their careers altogether.

True Tactical Gameplay
Ready or Not is a true tactical shooter. Every mission is a high-stakes, life-or-death operation. Strategically forge your squad of elite SWAT officers, equip them with the right weapons and gear for the mission, position your team to tactically breach criminal strongholds and quickly identify and neutralize threats in tense, life threatening scenarios. Follow the rules of engagement, communicate with your team, and execute flawlessly – failure is for the unprepared.

Your Mission is the Story
Ready or Not confronts you with a raw, unflinching mirror of real-world crime, exposing the horrors of human trafficking, drug running, illegal arms dealing, militant extremism and terrorism through interwoven storylines that span multiple missions. Grapple with moral dilemmas as you’re forced to balance your duty to exercise constraint in the face of Los Sueňos’ most vile criminals.

Cross-Comradery
Team up with friends to stem the tide of crime infesting the city. Enhanced with crossplay, Ready or Not supports up to five players in a co-operative tactical experience on all platforms. Communicate effectively to increase your tactical precision, watch your squad’s back and successfully complete your mission.

It’s been gratifying to see so many Xbox and Game Pass players return to the No Man’s Sky universe to take command of the all-new planetary settlements after the Beacon update a few months ago. In the background, the tiny team at Hello Games have been hard at work and today we’re pleased to reveal perhaps our biggest update of the year. The Voyagers update launches today and is free to existing players. 

Spaceships have always been my favourite thing, the coolest thing. Give me any sci-fi film or novel or game, and I want to talk to you about the spaceships in it! I can draw you a map of the Millennium Falcon, or the Nostromo – those are important characters in those worlds. I know for our team and our players it’s that same feeling. Your ship is maybe the most important character in No Man’s Sky.

What if we could build our own ships? With real interiors, med-bays, sleeping quarters, war rooms? What if we could get out of the cockpit seat mid-flight, wander around, look out the window as the universe flies by? What if we could share our ship with friends, to build a crew and adventure together? That’s a fantasy we’ve had for the longest time. I’m sure players never thought it would happen, but it’s something we’ve been working towards for years.

This has been just a huge undertaking for our small team. Starships move at incredible speed, and to add a player calmly walking around inside a ship that is hurtling through space brings up all sorts of physics and game development problems (suddenly you have to think about relative space!). 

We went even further, allowing networked crewmates to walk about inside too, networking with each other, whilst also travelling at vast speed on a networked ship. To take it even further we allow players to edit and decorate those ships around them, whilst pulsing through space or flying over a planet. It’s one of the harder game development problems!

Building your own ship, decorating it with friends, your own space that you share together – there really isn’t anything like it. Those moments where you look out the cockpit as a Space Station spins into view. Opening the airlock to rush out and discover a new planet, our returning home to your new custom ship from a hazardous environment. It feels so different and new.

Voyagers is version 6.0 of No Man’s Sky, which for us represents a big milestone. It’s honestly one of our biggest updates ever, and what I love about it is it opens up a whole new path that we will want to build on and expand in future.

Really though, we see each update as another step on a much longer journey. Sometimes we will put a lot of work into something that the community will perceive as small, but we know is important for the future. Sometimes something that was easier for us is actually really meaningful to the community – those are great too! The most satisfying part is when we’ve put in a lot of hard work for something we know is really meaningful to players, and I think Voyagers is luckily one of those updates – a lot of hard work to create something really meaningful for the future.

The best thing about No Man’s Sky continues to be the community. Something about the game attracts the best, most welcoming players. As long as players keep coming back to enjoy the content we’re making, and as long as the team is enjoying coming up with crazily ambitious stuff like Voyagers, then we are happy!

Behind the scenes, our new game, Light No Fire, is really coming along well. Honestly we always presumed that No Man’s Sky would have sailed off into the sunset long before Light No Fire ever saw the light of day. If anything, from a player and team perspective, No Man’s Sky is more vibrant now than ever, and both projects are benefitting from each other.

The Voyagers update (6.0) is available now, free to existing players. Our journey continues.

No Man’s Sky

Hello Games

☆☆☆☆☆
1062

★★★★★

$59.99

$23.99

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No Man’s Sky comes complete with all 29 major updates up to and including Worlds Part I.

Inspired by the adventure and imagination that we love from classic science-fiction, No Man’s Sky presents you with a galaxy to explore, filled with unique planets and lifeforms, and constant danger and action.

In No Man’s Sky, every star is the light of a distant sun, each orbited by planets filled with life, and you can go to any of them you choose. Fly smoothly from deep space to planetary surfaces, with no loading screens, and no limits. In this infinite procedurally generated universe, you’ll discover places and creatures that no other players have seen before – and perhaps never will again.

Embark on an epic voyage
At the centre of the galaxy lies a irresistible pulse which draws you on a journey towards it to learn the true nature of the cosmos. But, facing hostile creatures and fierce pirates, you’ll know that death comes at a cost, and survival will be down to the choices you make over how you upgrade your ship, your weapon and suit.

Find your own destiny
Your voyage through No Man’s Sky is up to you. Will you be a fighter, preying on the weak and taking their riches, or taking out pirates for their bounties? Power is yours if you upgrade your ship for speed and weaponry.
Or a trader? Find rich resources on forgotten worlds and exploit them for the highest prices. Invest in more cargo space and you’ll reap huge rewards.
Or perhaps an explorer? Go beyond the known frontier and discover places and things that no one has ever seen before. Upgrade your engines to jump ever farther, and strengthen your suit for survival in toxic environments that would kill the unwary.

Share your journey
The galaxy is a living, breathing place. Trade convoys travel between stars, factions vie for territory, pirates hunt the unwary, and the police are ever watching. Every other player lives in the same galaxy, and you can choose to share your discoveries with them on a map that spans known space. Perhaps you will see the results of their actions as well as your own…