Microsoft has unveiled the latest wave of free games that’ll soon be joining Xbox Game Pass, and it includes a day one cosy banger.
On 12 February, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC users will be able to dive into Starsand Island from Seed Sparkle Labs via cloud, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
I’ve had the opportunity to go hands-on with the game on several occasions; first, at last year’s Gamescom and then with an alpha build of the title in the months following.
Starsand Island Combines Elements of Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, Studio Ghibli, and The Sims
It’s with this in mind that I can tell you it's positively fantastic. In fact, I’ve been very vocal about the fact that I think it could be the next major cosy hit, rivalling Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing.
“Starsand Island really is the perfect combination of Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and The Sims, even boasting a few flavourings of Studio Ghibli here and there, but that’s not at all to say that it’s an amalgamation of ‘best bits’,” I said in my preview of the alpha build.
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“Seed Lab has clearly studied the genre, formulating what is easily the next evolution of the cosy gaming space,” I continued.
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“I’m not exaggerating when I say that I could happily sink over 100 hours into Starsand Island, which is most definitely what I’ll be doing when the final build officially launches in 2026.”
I’m so excited to reunite with the title and I really do urge you to give it a go.
It’s far from all that’s joining Game Pass though.
Final Fantasy II and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii join Ultimate, Premium, and PC from today.
On 5 February, you can then look forward to Madden NFL 26 and Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship on Ultimate, Premium, and PC.
Relooted then joins Ultimate and PC on 10 February, with BlazBlue Entropy Effect X and Roadside Research landing on the same tiers a few days later on 12 February. That’s the day Starsand Island drops.
Another day one launch arrives on 13 February in the form of sequel High on Life 2; that’ll join Ultimate and PC.
The same day, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC users can dive into Kingdom Come Deliverance, the predecessor to last year’s fantastic GOTY contender, Kingdom Come Deliverance II.
Finally, on 17 February, the fantastic Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora joins Ultimate and PC whilst Avowed lands on Premium. It’s already available on Ultimate and PC.
All in all, I’d say that’s a banger line-up.
I’ve already harped on about how you shouldn’t miss Starsand Island, but Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Avowed, and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii aren’t to be overlooked either.
Topics: Xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft, Indie Games, PC, Stardew Valley