Published Oct 9, 2026, 12:50 PM EDT

Sam Hill is a news writer at Polygon covering gaming and entertainment. He's a Portland, Oregon–based journalist known for covering gaming, the outdoors, national parks, tech, food, and internet culture. He has written for a range of publications including Outside Magazine, Boston Magazine, Vice, the Seattle Times and Digital Trends.

The lineup features an extraction shooter, a sci-fi comedy sequel, and a dangerous trip into the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone

A High on Life 2 character jumps in High on Life 2Image: Squanch Games

Xbox players have a handful of games to check out for free this weekend, including a major new update for one of this year's biggest multiplayer releases and trials for several other notable titles. Whether you're in the mood for an extraction shooter, a bizarre sci-fi adventure, or a trip into a radioactive wasteland, there's something worth trying before the weekend ends.

The latest Xbox Free Play Days promotion runs through Sunday, Oct. 11, with seven games available to try. While two require an Xbox Game Pass subscription, five are available to all Xbox players, including ARC Raiders, High On Life 2, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.

ARC Raiders leads Xbox's free games lineup

The biggest draw is arguably ARC Raiders, Embark Studios' multiplayer extraction shooter, which is free to play on Xbox through Oct. 11. Players can team up to scavenge a dangerous, machine-infested world, collecting supplies while trying to survive encounters with hostile robots and other raiders.

The free weekend also coincides with the launch of Frozen Trail, the game's biggest update since launch. The update adds a new map, enemies, challenges, weapon modifications, and other content, giving newcomers plenty to explore. Players can also purchase the game at a 50% discount through Oct. 15 if they want to keep playing after the trial ends.

Another option is High On Life 2, the sequel to Squanch Games' irreverent first-person shooter. Players return to an intergalactic world filled with talking alien guns, taking on enemies with a combination of shooting, stabbing, and skating.

For something darker, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl lets players explore a dangerous open world inspired by the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Mutants, rival scavengers, and deadly anomalies stand between players and the resources they need to survive. The game recently received its substantial Update 2.0, which improves performance and introduces changes intended to make the experience more immersive.

The masked face of a STALKER beneath a tattered hood. Key art for STALKER 2.Image: GSC Game World

All seven Xbox Free Play Days games

The remaining games round out the promotion with a mix of horror, racing, and tactical strategy. Little Nightmares III offers a creepy puzzle-adventure filled with terrifying creatures, while Rogue Waters is a turn-based pirate roguelite featuring ship combat and a recruitable crew.

Here's the full lineup:

  • ARC Raiders
  • High On Life 2
  • S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
  • Little Nightmares III
  • Rogue Waters
  • Screamer — Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential required
  • Family Man — Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential required

The promotion runs through Sunday, Oct. 11, though trial lengths and membership requirements vary by game. Players can find the titles through the Free Play Days section of the Xbox Store.