Xbox Game Pass Reveals New Details for 5 Games
At the first ever New Game Plus Showcase, Microsoft revealed new trailers and details for 5 upcoming games to its Xbox Game Pass library, including a big update for Avowed, Grounded 2, Towerborne, and more. The showcase itself, led by content creators like Jake Lucky, Luality, and more, lasted well over three hours and showcased 45 games in total. As part of the proceedings, Microsoft was also on hand to showcase some new details on a handful of upcoming games for Xbox Game Pass.
While 2025 certainly had a number of down moments for Microsoft, the company appears focused on a bigger 2026 for its Xbox brand. Including the Xbox Game Pass showcase titles at New Game Plus, fans don’t have to wait too much longer for even more news on some major first party games. Later this month, Microsoft announced a new Xbox Developer Direct, highlighting Fable and Forza Horizon 6. The event will also feature Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation, while speculation has already started for what many are expecting to be a fourth mystery game.
Xbox Game Pass Welcomes the RPG That Started One of Gaming’s Most Influential Series
Xbox Game Pass subscribers can now jump into an RPG that launched a legendary franchise and one of gaming’s most influential series.
New Details for 5 Upcoming Xbox Game Pass Titles
In terms of Xbox Game Pass, there’s also a lot of content on the horizon, both for games already available and some that are set to launch later this year. At the New Game Plus Showcase, Xbox Game Studios showcased three of their titles, while also highlighting two more.
Avowed
While Avowed launched in 2025, the team at Obsidian aren’t quite done with it yet. The studio revealed that Avowed is launching for PlayStation 5 on February 17, following in the footsteps of some of Microsoft’s biggest franchise games.
While that news alone probably doesn’t excite Xbox players, Obsidian also announced that all versions are also getting a special (and free!) Anniversary update on the same day. This includes the arrival of the highly requested New Game Plus mode, which allows players to restart the campaign with their character at level 1 while keeping all unlocked skills and equipment. In addition, the update will add a dedicated Photo Mode, the ability to play as an Aumaua, Orlan, or Dwarf, new weapons, changing the character’s appearance in the overworld, and more.
Grounded 2
Already in Early Access, Grounded 2 revealed more details on its next update thanks to a developer interview with creative director Justin Vazquez and game director Chris Parker. After laying the groundwork in the December 2025 update for Grounded 2, the team at Obsidian’s next big update will include an area known as Brookhollow Park, a community garden full of new sights and sounds to explore.
Players can use ladybugs to ride around, while also utilizing new weapons, armor, and building materials like the mushroom bricks, making their return from the first game. Naturally, the new zone will have its own challenges and dangers to overcome, including the return of Black Ants and Wasps. However, the team also revealed the Cricket, a brand-new bug to the series that can jump high and use its back legs to kick the player backward.
Aphelion
DON’T NOD’s upcoming sci-fi action adventure game Aphelion showed off new gameplay as well as highlighting some of the music from composer Amine Bouhafa. While Aphelion is already confirmed to be a Day One Game Pass title, this latest look at the title showcased how immersive the music is to the gameplay and how it evolves the experience for the player. To really set the tone and feel for this isolated and icy planet, the team utilized the grand organ of the Saint-Eustache Church to help give the game this interesting sound.
Towerborne
Another Early Access title, Towerborne confirmed that it is nearing the launch of the full game, setting its release date for February 26, 2026. Developed by Stoic Studio, best known for the Banner Saga series, Towerborne takes things in a new direction as a co-op action RPG brawler. The biggest news is that Towerborne is also shifting to an offline game where players buy it and own it, instead of it being a free to play, always online experience. It can be played offline or with online co-op as well.
Almost a year after launching Towerborne into Early Access on Game Pass, game director Daniel McLaren and design director Shana Markham revealed that the full experience has been shaped by feedback while adding new content including equipment, enemies, bosses, and other gameplay mechanics.
Denshattack!
The final game showcased was Denshattack! from Fireshine Games. Featuring a colorful, but dystopian version of Japan, players will be using what appears to be a subway car as it flips, grinds, and pulls off tricks in a frenetic, fast-paced environment. Similar to extreme sports titles like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater or Jet Set Radio, players will be attempting to nab high scores while also completing other objectives that can range from beating local gangs, winning races, or other outrageous tasks all in an effort to reclaim the railways. The team promises a game that is stylish while also letting the player express themselves as they play when the game launches in the Spring of 2026.
Source: New Game+