Xbox drops 3 free games with $100 value including underrated post-apocalyptic adventure

You’ve made it to the end of another working week, so now it’s time to enjoy the latest edition of Free Play Days on Xbox.

If you’re not familiar with Free Play Days, the weekly event offers Xbox users the chance to sample a selection of games for free for the duration of a weekend.

There’s no limitation on how far you can progress within those games - you could even complete them - but access does expire when the weekend draws to a close.

More often than not, the Free Play Days line-up contains games accessible to both non-Game Pass and Game Pass subscribers; this week’s edition is a Game Pass-only affair, though.

It doesn’t matter which tier of Game Pass you’re subscribed to, but you will need a membership to access this batch of three games, which boast a combined value of over $100.

The event runs from now until the end of the day on Sunday, August 23 - and here’s what you can sink your teeth into.

For an underrated post-apocalyptic adventure, try Icarus: Console Edition

RocketWerkz

Icarus: Console Edition retails for $39.99, and while it didn’t blow critics and gamers away at launch earlier this year, there’s a lot to like about this post-apocalyptic survival adventure.

Playable solo or via multiplayer, it sees you explore a dangerous wilderness in “the aftermath of terraforming gone wrong”.

There’s a narrative running throughout Icarus which you can either tackle as individual missions or open-world operations alongside other players.

There’s a huge survival element to the title, so base-building and crafting play a huge part in the gameplay.

You’ll also need to hunt and fend off some terrifying alien threats, with Icarus boasting impressive graphics.

If you like No Man’s Sky or Valheim, this could be one for you.

READ MORE: Game Pass latest AAA freebie is a must-play open-world adventure for Fable gamers

Try a modern instalment in a classic franchise with Train Sim World 6: Standard Edition

Dovetail Games - TSW

With an RRP of $49.99, Train Sim World 6: Standard Edition only landed around 12 months ago, offering you a modern take on this long-running simulation franchise.

Players have the chance to travel across new lines through New Jersey, the English Riviera, and Germany.

Train announcements, both on your service and in the station, have been enhanced, and there are tons of new photo mode features.

Choose from free roam, conductor mode, or creators club. Free roam lets you explore any path without the limitations of a timetable, while conductor mode lets players dispatch services, check tickets, and more.

Creators Club is your opportunity to customise trains, creating something that is entirely you.

READ MORE: New Xbox hardware is on the way, and we finally have a launch date

Fancy an RPG that may not be on your radar? Lynked: Banner of the Spark ticks that box

Dreamhaven

Finally, we have Lynked: Banner of the Spark, which is the cheapest offering here, retailing for $14.99.

This 2025 action RPG offers something a little different with its cartoon visuals and varied gameplay.

Playable solo or in co-op, you’ll battle waves of enemies in one part of the game, with missions essentially taking on a roguelike structure.

The pace then switches entirely as ‘back home’, players will build a budding town which includes farming and assembling a crew.

It’s quite refreshing to switch between the two elements, which have very different paces.

Again, these three titles are only yours to enjoy until the end of the day on Sunday, August 23.

Lynked: Banner of the Spark has a main story runtime of around 15 hours, so it could be completed if you have absolutely nothing to do this weekend.

The other two titles are more open-ended, so you’ll be hard-pressed to see all they have to offer.