Xbox users can nab a free download, no Game Pass needed

If you’re on the lookout for something new to try that won’t cost you a penny, I have just the thing.

A new demo has landed on the Xbox Store, and it could make for a nice little bit of weekend entertainment.

The demo in question is for Antro, an upcoming game from developer Gatera Studio.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what type of game Antro is.

There’s definitely plenty of platforming in there, 2.5D platforming to be specific, but so too does Antro have puzzle, rhythm, and action elements.

ICYMI: The Last of Us returns next month.

Antro shares an aesthetic similarity with Stray. In fact, the two games centre around a similar idea too - except there are no cats to be found here.

The game takes place after the “collapse”, an event that wiped out 99% of humanity with the remaining 1% now residing underground.

Underneath what used to be Barcelona lies Antro, a “dirty and dark hole divided into geographical strata where the inhabitants of the lowest levels fight for survival doing forced labor, while the ones in the highest levels rule over the new underground world”.

The description continues, “The government has become a totalitarian system, handing over the power to a corporation based on technological overproduction and the automation of sectors known as La Cúpula. Freedom of speech has been censored. Art and music, forbidden. And a rebellion seems to be coming to life inside the den in which they’re living.”

You’ll assume the role of Nittch, a delivery guy tasked with delivering a mysterious package kicking off what proves to be a whirlwind journey.

Along the way, Antro (the city) will do its very best to put a stop to your endeavour, so you’ll have to parkour and puzzle-solve your way through danger.

By the sounds of it, many of these obstacles will be timed to the rhythm of various Hip Hop, Drill, and R&B tracks so music is actually going to be one of your best friends, giving you the heads up on incoming dangers.

Believing you are a part of the revolution, the city is determined to subdue you.

I have to say, I’m totally sold on this one.

Antro remains without a release date beyond the vague window of ‘2025’ but as I said, a demo is available now.

As well as being available on Xbox Series X/S, you can also download the sample on Steam and PlayStation 5 too. I’ll be giving it a whirl.