New Delhi: Xbox users have four games to try without paying the full purchase price this weekend as Microsoft’s latest Free Play Days promotion brings EA Sports College Football 27, The Survivalists, The Lonesome Guild and Under The Waves to Xbox consoles.

The promotion is available from September 3 through September 6, 2026, although the access conditions differ between the four titles. EA Sports College Football 27 is available to all Xbox members, while The Survivalists requires an eligible Xbox Game Pass subscription. The Lonesome Guild and Under The Waves are available to all Xbox users as two-hour trials.

GameRant’s report highlights the latest Free Play Days selection, noting that Xbox’s weekend promotions can come with different restrictions depending on the game.

EA Sports College Football 27 is the biggest free offer

The headline title this weekend is EA Sports College Football 27, which is available to all Xbox members without requiring a Game Pass subscription.

The college football simulation game is optimised for Xbox Series X|S and offers several modes designed around the American college football experience.

Players can build their programmes through Dynasty Blueprint, explore a deeper Road to Glory career mode and take part in Mascot Mashup. The game also features 138 playable Football Bowl Subdivision teams, according to Microsoft’s promotional details.

The free access gives players an opportunity to experience the game before deciding whether to purchase it. Xbox is also offering a limited-time 25 per cent discount on the Deluxe Edition during the promotion.

The Survivalists requires Game Pass

The second game in the lineup is The Survivalists, a survival and management adventure from Team17.

Unlike the other titles available this weekend, The Survivalists is not free to every Xbox user. Players need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential subscription to access it through Free Play Days.

The game places players on a procedurally generated island where survival depends on exploration, gathering resources and crafting.

Players can hunt for food, encounter hostile creatures, complete quests and explore different biomes. The changing day-and-night cycle adds another layer to survival as players attempt to establish themselves in an unfamiliar environment.

One of the game’s distinctive features is its interaction with monkeys found on the island. Players can tame and train them to help with activities such as farming, building and fighting.

For Game Pass members looking for a survival game to spend several hours with, this could be the most substantial option in the weekend’s selection.

The Lonesome Guild offers a two-hour trial

The Lonesome Guild is another title available through Free Play Days, but Xbox is limiting the promotion to a two-hour trial.

The game is set in the fantasy world of Etere and follows a spirit called Ghost who wakes up without memories. Players must gather a group of unlikely companions while exploring the world and attempting to restore balance.

The game combines exploration and combat with relationship-building between characters. Its hand-painted environments and character-focused storyline give it a different tone from the survival and sports titles in this week’s lineup.

Because the Free Play Days version is time-limited, players who want to properly experience the game will need to purchase it after the trial ends.

Under The Waves brings an underwater adventure

The fourth title is Under The Waves, a narrative-driven adventure from Quantic Dream.

Like The Lonesome Guild, the game is available to all Xbox members as a two-hour Free Play Days trial.

The game takes players beneath the North Sea in a techno-futuristic version of the 1970s. Players take on the role of Stan, a professional diver dealing with a major personal loss.

Exploration of the underwater environment forms a major part of the experience, with the game combining cinematic presentation, environmental exploration and a story focused on grief and isolation.

Xbox is also offering an 85 per cent discount on Under The Waves until September 6, making the free trial an opportunity to decide whether the complete game is worth purchasing.

Xbox Free Play Days games at a glance

The latest promotion gives players four different types of experiences:

  • EA Sports College Football 27 — Free for all Xbox members.
  • The Survivalists — Requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential.
  • The Lonesome Guild — Free two-hour trial for all Xbox members.
  • Under The Waves — Free two-hour trial for all Xbox members.

All four offers run through September 6, although the exact end time can vary according to Microsoft’s regional availability.

How to access the free Xbox games

Players can search for each game directly through the Xbox Store and select the relevant Free Trial or Install, Included with Game Pass option.

On Xbox consoles, users can also navigate to the Store’s Subscriptions section and find the Free Play Days collection. Microsoft says players who purchase a game after trying it can retain their Gamerscore and achievements earned during the promotion. Discounts and availability may vary by title and region.

A mixed lineup for the weekend

This week’s selection covers a broad range of genres, from American football and survival management to fantasy role-playing and underwater narrative adventure.

For players looking for the most unrestricted option, EA Sports College Football 27 stands out because it is available to all Xbox members without a Game Pass subscription. Those with an eligible Game Pass plan can also spend more time with The Survivalists, while the two-hour trials of The Lonesome Guild and Under The Waves provide a shorter introduction to their respective experiences.

With all four offers ending on September 6, Xbox users interested in trying them should install the games before the Free Play Days window closes.