Xbox Game Pass has added three new titles for PC and Xbox Series X as part of its day-one game initiative in 2026. The new games are:
1. Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions - A sci-fi multiplayer adventure developed by System Era Softworks and Devolver Digital, currently in early access. It has a 40% approval rating on Steam but lacks a Metacritic score.
2. Beastro - A cozy adventure game from Timberline Studio where players engage in culinary creativity. It has a 92% approval rating on Steam and no Metacritic score.
3. Frog Sqwad - A multiplayer extraction puzzle platformer developed by Panic Stations, supporting up to eight players. It has a 90% approval rating on Steam and no Metacritic score.
Subscribers can enjoy these games at no additional cost and receive a 20% discount on each title. The duration of these games' availability on Xbox Game Pass has not been disclosed.
The text discusses the appreciation for mech games that allow players to exit their mechs and explore the world on foot, highlighting the complexity this feature adds to game development. It mentions two titles that incorporate this concept: Psycho Patrol R and Brigador Killers, the latter of which has been in development for a decade. The lead designer, Hugh Monahan, noted that the decision to allow players to get out of the mech added five years to development time. The game features pre-rendered environments and an isometric perspective, but with increased complexity compared to its predecessor. The addition of on-foot gameplay enhances player immersion and clarifies the player's role, while also necessitating new mechanics for interactions, such as picking up weapons and engaging with the environment. Brigador Killers recently received an update with new story content and quality-of-life improvements.