Xbox Free Play Days has opened one of its broader October line-ups, giving players access to six games across full-weekend offers and timed trials. Dying Light 2: Stay Human – Reloaded Edition, Let’s Build a Zoo and Tropico 6 are available to qualifying Game Pass members, while Riders Republic and both Monster Hunter Stories games can be tried without a Game Pass subscription.
The important catch is that these offers do not all use the same access rules or end date. Here is what UK players need to know before downloading.
Xbox Free Play Days October 2026 games
| Game | Access | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Dying Light 2: Stay Human – Reloaded Edition | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential | 22–25 October |
| Let’s Build a Zoo | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential | 22–25 October |
| Tropico 6 | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential | 22–25 October |
| Monster Hunter Stories | Three-hour trial for all Xbox players | Limited-time trial |
| Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin | Three-hour trial for all Xbox players | Limited-time trial |
| Riders Republic | Free for all Xbox members | 22–26 October |
Xbox’s announcement does not publish an exact UK cut-off hour for the weekend offers. Treat the listed final date as the deadline and avoid leaving a large download until the final evening.
Which games do not need Game Pass?
Riders Republic is free for all Xbox members from 22 to 26 October. Ubisoft is also using the free weekend to celebrate the game’s fifth anniversary with themed rewards and a concert featuring DJ Henri PFR.
Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin each have a three-hour timed trial open to all Xbox players. These are trials rather than unrestricted weekend access, so the play clock matters. Close the game fully when you finish a session instead of leaving it suspended if you want to preserve the remaining time.
Which games require Game Pass?
Dying Light 2: Stay Human – Reloaded Edition
Techland’s open-world action RPG is included for Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential members from 22 to 25 October. The Reloaded Edition is the version named in the promotion. Xbox also lists a limited 80% discount, although the final price can vary by region.
Let’s Build a Zoo
The management game lets you build habitats, manage staff and experiment with DNA splicing across hundreds of thousands of possible animal combinations. The base game and its Dinosaur Island and Aquarium Odyssey DLC are discounted by up to 65% during the promotion.
Tropico 6
Tropico 6 is free for qualifying members until 25 October, ahead of Tropico 7’s planned January launch. Xbox advertises 75% off the base game and up to 60% off its DLC until 2 November. That longer sale window gives players time to test the game before deciding whether to keep it.
How to download Xbox Free Play Days games
- Sign in to the Xbox account you intend to use.
- On Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, open the Store and select the Subscriptions tab.
- Scroll to the Free Play Days collection.
- Select a game and install it. For the Game Pass titles, the account must hold an eligible Ultimate, Premium or Essential membership.
- For Monster Hunter Stories or Riders Republic, look for the trial or free-play option even if you do not subscribe to Game Pass.
You can also start from each game’s Xbox.com store page. Make sure you are signed in, because the install or trial option may not appear otherwise.
Does progress carry over if you buy the game?
Yes. Xbox says Gamerscore and achievements earned during Free Play Days are retained if you later purchase the game. Save progress normally remains tied to the same Xbox account, so use the profile on which you would eventually buy or continue playing.
Discounts are available on several featured games and editions, but percentages and availability can vary by title and region. The official article displays US dollar prices; UK shoppers should rely on the price shown in the UK Microsoft Store rather than converting the US figure.
If you regularly use these weekends, CODSKINS has an Xbox Game Pass collection for related subscription options. You can also compare wider gaming promo codes and keys or follow the latest gaming promotions.
Confirmed details and remaining unknowns
- Confirmed: three games require an eligible Game Pass tier, while Riders Republic and the two Monster Hunter Stories trials do not.
- Confirmed: Riders Republic runs through 26 October; the three membership titles run through 25 October.
- Confirmed: purchases retain Gamerscore and achievements earned during the promotion.
- Not specified: exact UK expiry times and whether every regional store carries identical discounts.
The primary source for dates and eligibility is the official Xbox Wire Free Play Days announcement.
